Photography by Edward C. Robison III.
Black Balloon
“Instead of simply glancing at the work, select a specific color such as yellow or a lime green, and take the time to see how it operates across the painting.”
—Gene Davis
Reminiscent of TV test patterns, the vertical stripes in the painting are spaced at equal intervals. Gene Davis was inspired by the rhythms of jazz and selected his colors on a whim, much like an improvisational musical performance.
ArtistGene Davis, 1920–1985
Date1964
MediumAcrylic on canvas
Dimensions93 1/2 x 171 1/2 in. (237.5 x 435.6 cm)
Signedverso, u.l.: Gene Davis / (1964)
Mark(s)verso, stamped: Estate of Gene Davis
verso, on stretcher: [Riva Yares Galery label]
verso, on stretcher: [Charles Cowles Gallery label]
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2010.36
ClassificationPainting
Provenanceto Estate of the Artist, 1985; to (Riva Yares Gallery, Sante Fe, NM); purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2010
On ViewNo
This artwork's face covers about 15× the area of a standard movie poster.Drawn to the same scale.