Artist:

David Park, born Boston, MA 1911-died Berkeley, CA 1960  Search this

Medium:

oil on canvas

Dimensions:

33 3/8 x 29 3/4 in. (84.8 x 75.6 cm)

Type:

Painting

Date:

1953

Exhibition Label:

In Beach Profile Park has reoriented a traditional beach scene ninety degrees, upending the normal orientation of sea and sand. This spatial distortion, which eliminates horizon and sky, reinforces the dramatic contrast in scale between the landscape and the profile. While the distance seems great, the lengthening shadow cast by the small figure on the beach touches the observer’s shoulder, suggesting a connection. The ambiguous relationship between the figures and the truncated space create a sense of mystery.

Modern Masters: Midcentury Abstraction from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2008

Topic:

Figure group  Search this

Landscape\beach  Search this

Credit Line:

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin

Object number:

2005.5.58

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department:

Painting and Sculpture

Data Source:

Smithsonian American Art Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk77d370192-9619-4ca2-b6e4-63193f18577c

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:saam_2005.5.58