Still Life

What shapes and patterns do you see in this painting? Arshile Gorky’s title, Still Life, suggests that this is a group of everyday objects. Perhaps you see a chair, a figure, or an artist’s palette. Abstraction allowed Gorky to share his personal experience of the surrounding world, but he did not explain the contents or meanings of his images. Working in New York, the Armenian-born painter produced countless works like this one, which pushed the boundaries of Cubism and Surrealism. Puzzle through his lines and layers to construct your own interpretation.

89.51