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Lot's Wife (section three of triptych)

A work made of color lithograph from one stone on white japanese paper.
© 2018 Helen Frankenthaler / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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  • A work made of color lithograph from one stone on white japanese paper.

Date:

1971

Artist:

Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928-2011)
printed by Fred Akers and David Umholtz
published by Universal Limited Art Editions (American, founded 1955)

About this artwork

Traditional triptychs from the Medieval and Renaissance periods were horizontal, with a large central image and two smaller flanking panels. Here Frankenthaler literally turned the practice on its head and conceived Lot’s Wife vertically.
The artist proudly (if slightly erroneously) recalled: “I did Lot’s Wife in one shot. I went back to do something to it and then I thought, no, don’t turn back, don’t look at it, leave it, it’s good. That’s why I called it Lot’s Wife, because she turned and became a pillar of salt.” The narrative that Frankenthaler created the print “in one shot” is undercut by the numerous working proofs that attest to the changes in the final composition.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Helen Frankenthaler

Title

Lot's Wife (section three of triptych)

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1971

Medium

Color lithograph from one stone on white Japanese paper

Dimensions

Image: 105.5 × 69.8 cm (41 9/16 × 27 1/2 in.); Sheet: 115.6 × 92.2 cm (45 9/16 × 36 5/16 in.)

Credit Line

U.L.A.E. Collection acquired through a challenge grant of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dittmer; purchased with funds provided by supporters of the Department of Prints and Drawings; Centennial Endowment; Margaret Fisher Endowment Fund

Reference Number

1982.480.3

Copyright

© 2018 Helen Frankenthaler / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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