Robert Rauschenberg's »Erased de Kooning Drawing« (1953): Modernism, Literalism, Postmodernism

Erased de Kooning Drawing by Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Willem de Kooning was a pivotal moment in art history, challenging the definition of art and the artist as creator. It was considered Neo-Dada, the beginning of conceptual art, and a departure into postmodernism. It is a litmus test for the definitions of modernism, literalism, and postmodernism and is still relevant for the theory of the image and the question of appropriation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 1028 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2024
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Erased de Kooning Drawing is a groundbreaking artwork that pushed the boundaries of art and challenged the traditional notion of the artist as the creator. This extraordinary piece involved three American artists: In 1953, Robert Rauschenberg made a significant decision by erasing a drawing by Willem de Kooning, who had initially agreed to collaborate. Jasper Johns played a crucial role in shaping the psychological context of the artwork by creating a label for its first public presentation. The obliterated drawing, once transformed, gained immense significance and was perceived as a pivotal moment in art history. It was celebrated as Neo-Dada in the 1950s, hailed as the dawn of conceptual art in the 1960s, and later seen as a departure into postmodernism in the 1980s. This artwork has left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape, inspiring numerous artists and becoming a cornerstone of Rauschenberg's oeuvre. Gregor Stemmrich delves into its status as a litmus test for defining modernism, literalism, and postmodernism, highlighting its enduring relevance in the realm of image theory and the issue of appropriation.

Weight: 1480g
Dimension: 156 x 243 x 58 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775755030