Beschreibung:

Robert Rauschenberg (American, 1925-2008) Cardbird II, Signed, numbered, and dated "RAUSCHENBERG 6/75 '71" on the reverse. from the series Cardbird, 1971, edition of 75 plus proofs, published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles (NGA/Gemini, 41.53). Signed, numbered, and dated "RAUSCHENBERG 6/75 '71" on the reverse, publisher's copyright and stamp on the reverse. Collage construction of photo offset lithograph and screenprint with tape and steel staples on corrugated cardboard, 55 x 34 in. (139.7 x 86.36 cm), unframed. Condition: Holes to corners (for hanging, as designed), subtle toning/surface grime, minor crimping to lower edge. Provenance: The estate of Joan Sonnabend, Boston, Massachusetts. N.B. Rauschenberg's Cardbird multiples appear simple, both in their materials and construction. His early adoption of collage and assemblage techniques remained prevalent in his work throughout his career, and he often combined found objects and images in his works. In 1970 Rauschenberg became a permanent resident of Captiva Island in Florida (although he maintained a studio in New York), and began a series of constructions made of corrugated boxes, which the artist referred to as Cardboards. The Cardbirds are an ironic twist on the Cardboards. What looks like a seemingly simple arrangement of cardboard scraps is actually a labor-intensive facsimile of a cardboard collage. Each Cardbird is based on a maquette made with found pieces of cardboard. Rauschenberg then used images of the original pieces of cardboard to create lithographic and screenprinted reproductions of the scraps, which were then laminated onto cardboard to reproduce the original concept. Photolithograph and mixed media on cardboard, 55 x 34 in., (139.7 x 86.36 cm), unframed.