Artist: Robert Rauschenberg
Title: Gulf
Medium: Lithograph in Colors
Size: 42" x 30"
Edition: HC 2/3 apart from the edition of 31
Publisher: Universal Limited Art Editions, West Islip, New York
Inscription: Signed, dated, numbered and inscribed on front lower left: "From Rocky + Rauschenberg HC 2/3 '69" and "For Edward Obksak - Bob 4/27/20"
Year: 1969
Documentation: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Literature: Foster 70 | Sparks 40
Robert Rauschenberg's "Gulf" (1969) is a large-scale lithograph in colors measuring 42 inches in height by 30 inches in width. This work is part of a limited edition of 31, with the present example designated HC 2/3, and was printed and published by Universal Limited Art Editions, West Islip, New York. The piece is signed, dated, numbered, and inscribed on the lower left: "From Rocky + Rauschenberg HC 2/3 '69 For Edward Obksak – Bob 4/27/20". It is accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity and is documented in the literature (Foster 70 and Sparks 40).
"Gulf" exemplifies Rauschenberg's practice during the late 1960s, when he explored printmaking as a major component of his artistic production. The lithograph's combination of scale, color, and figurative imagery situates it within his broader exploration of the interplay between natural forms and abstract compositional structures. Measured and carefully composed, the work engages with formal qualities of color, line, and scale while presenting a recognizable natural subject. The depiction of the sea turtle provides a focal point that interacts with the surrounding fields of color, resulting in a composition that is both visually engaging and formally considered.
About Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008) was a pivotal figure in twentieth-century American art, whose practice spanned painting, sculpture, printmaking, performance, and multimedia work. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Rauschenberg initially studied at the Kansas City Art Institute before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following his military service, he enrolled at the Art Students League in New York and subsequently studied under Josef Albers at Black Mountain College in North Carolina, where he encountered a range of experimental approaches to art-making that would profoundly influence his career.
Rauschenberg first gained recognition in the 1950s for his innovative "Combine" paintings, which integrated nontraditional materials and everyday objects into the pictorial space. These works blurred the boundary between painting and sculpture, incorporating elements such as newspaper clippings, fabric, taxidermy, and found objects. Through the Combines, Rauschenberg challenged the prevailing orthodoxy of Abstract Expressionism, offering a more open, eclectic approach that reflected the complexity and visual culture of postwar America. Critics often noted the way these works collapsed distinctions between high and low art, foregrounding the materiality of objects and the contingencies of contemporary life.
In the 1960s, Rauschenberg expanded his practice into printmaking, performance, and collaborative projects, aligning with the emerging movements of Pop Art, Fluxus, and Neo-Dada. He was among the first American artists to experiment with silkscreen techniques, translating photographic images directly onto canvas and paper in a manner that prefigured later postmodern strategies. Notable collaborations include his work with choreographer Merce Cunningham and composer John Cage, which integrated visual, musical, and performative elements into immersive experiences. Rauschenberg's commitment to interdisciplinary practice exemplified his belief that art should engage with life's immediacy rather than remain confined to traditional media or institutional expectations.
Throughout his career, Rauschenberg received numerous accolades, including the prestigious National Medal of Arts in 1993 and a nomination to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale. His work has been exhibited extensively at major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Tate Modern, London; and the Centre Pompidou, Paris, and is held in significant public and private collections worldwide.
Rauschenberg's influence on contemporary art extends beyond his formal innovations. By foregrounding collaboration, experimentation, and the incorporation of everyday materials, he opened avenues for subsequent generations of artists to explore hybrid media and conceptual approaches. His work consistently interrogated the relationship between art and life, embracing chance, ephemerality, and social engagement as central components of artistic practice. Today, Robert Rauschenberg is celebrated not only for his aesthetic achievements but also for his role in redefining the possibilities of twentieth-century art, bridging the gap between abstraction, representation, and the material realities of contemporary culture.
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