Images(4)

Perpetual Light #1

Object number2019.52.1

Artist Samuel Rosenberg (American, 1896 - 1972)

Date1959

MediumOil on canvas; Wood; Gilding; Metal

Credit LineGIft of Estate of James and Idamae Rich

DescriptionFramed abstract oil painting. Abstract composition of overlapping rectangular fields in muted browns, yellows, oranges, reds, and greens with some black, blue, and purple details. Signed by artist in red paint in the top left corner. Wood frame is gilded on the front and backed with white foam core backer. Painted canvas floats in frame.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Frame size): 51.938 × 42 × 2.125 in. (131.9 × 106.7 × 5.4 cm)
Height x Width (Sight size): 50 × 40.063 in. (127 × 101.8 cm)
SignedSigned in red paint in the top left corner "Samuel / Rosenberg / 60".
Historical NotesSamuel Rosenberg painted “Perpetual Light #1” in 1959. It is the first of a two-painting sequence, and it is representative of the luminous abstractions Rosenberg began painting in the 1950s. Rosenberg first displayed the painting at the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh annual exhibit in March 1960. The painting was acquired in July 1960 by Maurice and Thelma Davis. Their daughter Dee Davis inherited the painting and later sold it to Concept Art Gallery. James Rich acquired the painting from the gallery in September 2018 and bequeathed it to the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center.

Previous owner Maurice Davis

Previous owner Thelma Davis

Previous owner Dee Davis

Previous owner Concept Art Gallery

Previous owner James Rich

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