Sky Landscape I

1976-1983

Louise Nevelson (born Louise Berliawsky)

American (born Ukraine); b. 1900, Kyiv, Ukraine; d. 1988, New York, USA

Welded steel was a material favored by sculptors of Louise Nevelson's generation, but she became known for working in wood and only later incorporated Plexiglas, aluminum and Lucite into her repertoire. Sky Landscape I translates from wood to metal her approach to constructed sculpture. A collage of distinct parts, this work consists of two totemic elements that extend upward to the sky, accented by flourishes of curved metal. While occupying three dimensions, Sky Landscape I reflects Nevelson's devotion to relief sculpture and the creation of heightened drama within a narrow field of space.

Welded aluminum painted black

120 x 120 x 74 in. (304.8 x 304.8 x 188 cm)

Gift of Jon Shirley

2021.4

Provenance: The artist; [Pace Gallery, New York, 1977]; purchased from gallery by Jon and Mary Shirley, Seattle, Washington, 1994; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2021

Photo: Paul Macapia

Now on view at the Olympic Sculture Park

“

I fell in love with black; it contained all color. It wasn't a negation of color...black is the most aristocratic color of all...you can be quiet, and it contains the whole thing.

”

Louise Nevelson

Resources

Exhibition HistoryPurchase, New York, Neuberger Museum, State University of New York, Nevelson at Purchase: The Metal Sculptures, May 8 - Sept. 11, 1977.

New York, New York, Pace Gallery, Louise Nevelson: Large Outdoor Metal Sculptures, Sept. 18 - Oct. 16, 1993.

Published ReferencesCorrin, Lisa Graziose et al. "Olympic Sculpture Park." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 2007, illus. p. 53

Kangas, Matthew, "Sculpture", October 2007, Vol 26, No. 8

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM