The American Gas Works - 1961–62 - Artworks-Items

Images

A 60 by 48 inch painting of a large circular image against a background of yellow and black vertical stripes. A large red circle contains four smaller circles, each quartered into yellow and black diamonds and surrounded by white ring containing the numerals 0 through 9 painted in black. Surrounding the red circle is a white ring containing the painting's title "The American Gas Works," painted in black letters, and two small black stars.

The American Gas Works

1961–62

Oil on canvas

60 × 48 in. (152.4 × 121.9 cm)

Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany

Photo: Courtesy of Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany; Artwork: © Morgan Art Foundation Ltd./Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Detail of Robert Indiana's journal page for December 31, 1961

Courtesy Star of Hope Foundation, Vinalhaven, Maine

Description

Please excuse my irascibility, but I just lost my gas meter, & I feel a little chilled toward the world. My loss did inspire a new painting, however: "The American Gas Works."

— Robert Indiana

Excerpt from a letter to Dorothy C. Miller dated December 11, 1961.