Frank Stella
American
1936, Malden, Massachusetts
2024, New York, New York
In 1958, just a few years after graduating from Princeton, Frank Stella began his groundbreaking "black paintings." These austere works were composed of parallel stripes determined by the proportions of the canvas and the width of the paintbrush. They had no meaning beyond their physical form; or, as Stella famously put it, "What you see is what you see."
His subsequent practice, while diverse, has continued his interrogation of abstraction. Paintings based on the rejection of the conventionally rectangular canvas gave way to complex wall reliefs made from paint, cardboard, and felt. He further blurred the distinction between painting and sculpture in baroque works that practically burst off the wall.
Works in the Collection
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Frank StellaDouble Gray Scramble1973 -
Frank StellaThe Counterpane, from the series The Waves1985–1989 -
Frank StellaThe Whale as a Dish, from the series The Waves1985–1989 -
Frank StellaThe Great Heidelburgh Tun, from the series The Waves1985–1988 -
Frank StellaAnd the Holy One, Blessed Be He, Came and Smote the Angel of Death1982–1984
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Frank StellaThen Came Death and Took the Butcher1982–1984
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Frank StellaThe Butcher Came and Slew the Ox1982–1984
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Frank StellaThen Came an Ox and Drank the Water1982–1984
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Frank StellaThen Water Came and Quenched the Fire1982–1984 -
Frank StellaThen Came a Fire and Burnt the Stick1982–1984 -
Frank StellaThen Came a Stick and Beat the Dog1982–1984 -
Frank StellaThe Pacific, from the series The Waves1985–1988 -
Frank StellaSquid, from the series The Waves1985–1988 -
Frank StellaThe Quarter-Deck, from the series The Waves1985–1988 -
Frank StellaBermuda Petrel 3X1976 -
Frank StellaBechhofen1972 -
Frank StellaAdelante1964 -
Frank StellaBlack Adder from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaQuathlamba I from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaQuathlamba II from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaEmpress of India I from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaEmpress of India II from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaIFAFA II from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaIFAFA I from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaITATA from the V Series1968 -
Frank StellaSinjerli Variation IV1977 -
Frank StellaSinjerli Variation III1977 -
Frank StellaSinjerli Variation Ia1977 -
Frank StellaSinjerli Variation IIa1977 -
Frank StellaSinjerli Variation II1977 -
Frank StellaSinjerli Variation I1977 -
Frank StellaThen Came a Dog and Bit the Cat1982–1984 -
Frank StellaA Hungry Cat Ate Up the Goat1982–1984 -
Frank StellaOne Small Goat Papa Bought for Two Zuzim1982–1984 -
Frank StellaSteller's Albatross 5X1976 -
Frank StellaThe Chase, Third Day1989 -
Frank StellaDouble Concentric: Scramble1971 -
Frank StellaKyalami1981 -
Frank StellaIllustrations after El Lissitzky's Had Gadya1982–1984
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Frank StellaLipsko III1972 -
Frank StellaShoubeegi1978 -
Frank StellaThe Quadrant1987–1988 -
Frank StellaPolk City1963 -
Frank StellaFiruzabad1970 -
Frank StellaZambezi1959 -
Frank StellaGiufà, la luna, i ladri e le guardie, 4X1984 -
Frank StellaThe Duel (Der Zweikampf) F (N#8)2001 -
Frank StellaCharlotte Tokayer1963 -
Frank StellaWolfeboro I1966 -
Frank StellaKhurasan Gate (Variation ) I1969 -
Frank StellaRzochow III1973 -
Frank StellaUntitled (Fan Protractor Variation)1967 -
Frank StellaRiver of Ponds, I, from the Newfoundland Series1971
Please note that artwork locations are subject to change, and not all works are on view at all times.
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