Collage Number 12
Vicente made his first collages in the summer of 1949, while teaching in California; away from the working environment of his New York studio, he cut up a Sunday newspaper and began assembling its pieces into compositions. Collage would thereafter be a vital component of his art, in an ongoing dialogue with painting. As an Abstract Expressionist, Vicente’s commitment to improvised, abstract arrangements of color and form led him to a vision of collage that eschewed everyday materials. After his initial employment of newspaper clippings, he typically used pieces of hand-painted fine art paper with carefully torn or cut edges. These he positioned with care, making adjustments before gluing them down. Vicente could achieve a wide range of effects, including the solid, architectonic stability of this composition.
Artwork Details
- Title: Collage Number 12
- Artist: Esteban Vicente (American (born Spain), Segovia 1903–2001 Bridgehampton, New York)
- Date: 1956
- Medium: Collage of torn papers, watercolor, and charcoal on paper, mounted on board on wood strainer
- Dimensions: 16 1/4 x 20 1/8 in. (41.3 x 51.1 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, in memory of Barbara Butler Weisl, 2005
- Object Number: 2005.484.5
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Esteban Vicente
1976
Esteban Vicente
1966
Esteban Vicente
1972
Esteban Vicente
ca. 1950–60
Esteban Vicente
1986
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.