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Halleluiah

1969

Images

A 60 by 50 inch canvas with a purple background the the title, Halleluiah, painted in yellow stenciled letters across the bottom of the painting. Above the title is a light blue circle with a green outline. Inside the circle "Jesus Saves" has been painted in red-orange letters, with rays of yellow and blue emanating from behind the letters.

Halleluiah

1969

Oil on canvas

60 × 50 in. (152.4 × 127 cm)

The Menil Collection, Houston

 

Photo: George Hixson. Courtesy of the Menil Collection, Houston; Artwork: © Star of Hope Foundation, Vinalhaven, Maine

Indiana working in his studio. Halleluiah (1969) is visible on the back wall, lower right. To its left is Apogee (1970),  

Indiana working in his studio. Halleluiah (1969) is visible on the back wall, lower right. To its left is Apogee (1970)

 

Photo: Hans Namuth. Courtesy Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona © 1991 Hans Namuth Estate

Description

When I look at Jesus Saves or think about it, what comes into my mind is immediate inspiration for the painting which has nothing to do with history or religion. One day my helper came in wearing a T-shirt made in Portugal that said, “Jesus Saves.” It was such a beautiful image—this workman on a hot summer day in New York wearing such a strange legend—that I asked him to take off the shirt and started to paint it.

— Robert Indiana

 

Phyllis Tuchman, "Pop! Interviews with George Segal, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, and Robert Indiana," Artnews 73 (May 1974), p. 29.