Robert Rauschenberg Untitled (McGovern) 1972 Signed Lithograph Edition of 75

Artist: Robert Rauschenberg
Title: Untitled (McGovern)
Medium: Offset Lithograph in Colors
Edition: 59/75
Image Size: 38.75" × 26.5"
Sheet Size: 40" × 30"
Year: 1972
Inscription: Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil along lower edge "Rauschenberg 59/75 72" with publisher's blindstamp lower left
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

Robert Rauschenberg's Untitled (McGovern) (1972) is an offset lithograph imbued with political intent, illustrating the artist's direct response to the cultural and electoral climate of its time. Produced in conjunction with the 1972 U.S. presidential race, the work signals Rauschenberg's endorsement of Democratic candidate George McGovern. The composition is marked by a complex layering of photographic elements and abstract visual motifs, a hallmark of the artist's experimental printmaking practice.

This work has appeared in institutional presentations and is represented in both private and public collections. A related example from the same body of work is held by the Whitney Museum of American Art, reinforcing the importance of the series within Rauschenberg's broader body of work.

Issued by Styria Studio Ltd., the edition consists of 75 impressions, each signed and numbered. The present example is designated as number 59. It bears the artist's handwritten signature and date in pencil along the lower margin, along with the publisher's blindstamp at the lower left. The work is accompanied by a gallery-issued Certificate of Authenticity, affirming its provenance and status as an original work by the artist.

About Robert Rauschenberg

Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008) was an influential American painter, sculptor, and graphic artist whose innovative work blurred the boundaries between painting and sculpture. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Rauschenberg emerged as a leading figure in the postwar American art scene, playing a pivotal role in the development of Neo-Dada, Pop Art, and contemporary mixed-media practices.

Rauschenberg is best known for his “Combines”, hybrid works that integrate painting, sculpture, found objects, and everyday materials. These groundbreaking pieces challenged conventional definitions of art and opened new possibilities for experimentation with media and technique. His art often incorporated elements of popular culture, newspapers, photographs, and industrial materials, reflecting the dynamic energy of mid-20th-century America.

In addition to his Combines, Rauschenberg created influential prints, photographs, and stage designs, collaborating with choreographers, musicians, and writers. He was deeply committed to innovation and interdisciplinary practice, making him a central figure in the evolution of contemporary art.

Rauschenberg's work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Tate Modern, and the Centre Pompidou. His pieces are held in permanent collections of leading institutions, and retrospective exhibitions, such as the Robert Rauschenberg: Combines at the Guggenheim and MoMA, have solidified his status as a seminal figure in modern art.

Throughout his career, Rauschenberg received numerous honors, including the National Medal of Arts and the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. His innovative approach to materials, media, and artistic collaboration continues to influence contemporary artists and shape the discourse around modern art.