Ilya Bolotowsky Trylon 48” 1977 Signed Original Sculpture

Artist: Ilya Bolotowsky (1907–1981)
Title: Trylon
Medium: Original Oil on Wood Sculpture
Dimensions: 48" high × 8" × 8" x 8"
Year: 1977
Signature: Signed, titled, and dated to interior, "Trylon 1977 Ilya Bolotowsky"
Documentation: Includes a Gallery Certificate of Authenticity from Modern Artifact
Exhibition History: "Modern American Painting" 1910–1965, Snyder Fine Art, New York, January 12–February 25, 1995; "Geometric Abstraction" 1937–1997, Snyder Fine Art, New York, May 30–August 15, 1997

"Trylon" is a refined example of Ilya Bolotowsky's mature sculptural work, embodying his commitment to geometric abstraction and Neo-Plasticism. As a founding member of American Abstract Artists and a leader in American geometric abstraction, Bolotowsky spent his career refining an ideal of order and balance derived from De Stijl and the lessons of Piet Mondrian. In the 1960s, he translated that grammar of line, plane, and primary color into space itself; creating vertical, straight-sided constructions whose painted facets orchestrate color relationships as you move around them.

Executed in 1977, "Trylon" stands at 48 inches tall and features a prismatic column with measured bands and intervals that activate each face differently under light. This work exemplifies Bolotowsky's core proposition—that an "ideal harmony and order" can be achieved through disciplined relationships of color and proportion—in real space and real time.

The piece was exhibited in two significant shows at Snyder Fine Art in New York: "Modern American Painting" 1910–1965 in 1995 and "Geometric Abstraction" 1937–1997 in 1997. These exhibitions underscore that "Trylon" fits within Bolotowsky's core project and its place in the broader context of American geometric abstraction. Bolotowsky's stature is anchored by his 1974 Guggenheim retrospective—a critical milestone that underscores his significance in the history of American modernism. Smithsonian American Art Museum Related constructions from the 1970s are held in major museum collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Vertical Movement (1976), highlighting the enduring importance of his sculptural work.

Ilya Bolotowsky's "Trylon" is signed, titled, and dated to interior, "Trylon 1977 Ilya Bolotowsky". Purchase includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact and complete record of provenance is available by request.

About Ilya Bolotowsky

Ilya Bolotowsky (1907–1981) was a Russian-born American painter recognized for his influential role in advancing geometric abstraction in the United States. Emigrating from St. Petersburg to New York City in 1923, Bolotowsky trained at the National Academy of Design and absorbed the lessons of European modernism, particularly the work of Piet Mondrian, which deeply informed his disciplined approach to line, color, and composition.

In 1936, Bolotowsky co-founded the American Abstract Artists group, establishing a platform for the exhibition and critical discussion of non-representational art at a time when abstraction was often marginalized in the American art world. His work transitioned from early figurative forms to compositions defined by grids, planes, and a controlled palette, demonstrating an intellectual rigor that balanced structure with subtle expressive qualities.

Bolotowsky was also an influential educator, teaching at Black Mountain College and other institutions, where he encouraged students to explore abstraction through careful study of form, proportion, and spatial relationships. His mentorship influenced several prominent mid-20th-century artists, extending his impact beyond his own artwork.

Throughout his career, Bolotowsky's work was exhibited in major museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. His paintings are included in numerous permanent collections, reflecting both the historical significance and enduring appeal of his geometric abstractions. Bolotowsky's combination of disciplined technique, philosophical approach to visual order, and dedication to education positions him as a seminal figure in 20th-century American art, whose legacy continues to inform contemporary abstract practice.