Ad Reinhardt

How to Look at a Spiral
1946

This image displays a vintage educational poster titled "HOW TO LOOK AT A SPIRAL," which explores the significance and representation of spirals in various contexts. The poster includes a mix of text and illustrations, with examples of spirals found in nature, art, history, and science. The illustrations depict spiral forms in galaxies, shells, ancient symbols, animals, and decorative motifs, among others. The text provides a narrative on the symbolism and use of spirals throughout history and in different cultures. The overall design mimics a scrapbook or collage style, with a variety of images and fonts that give the poster an eclectic and informative appearance.

This image displays a vintage educational poster titled "HOW TO LOOK AT A SPIRAL," which explores the significance and representation of spirals in various contexts. The poster includes a mix of text and illustrations, with examples of spirals found in nature, art, history, and science. The illustrations depict spiral forms in galaxies, shells, ancient symbols, animals, and decorative motifs, among others. The text provides a narrative on the symbolism and use of spirals throughout history and in different cultures. The overall design mimics a scrapbook or collage style, with a variety of images and fonts that give the poster an eclectic and informative appearance.

Not on view

Date
1946

Classification
Drawings

Medium
Collage, pen and ink, brush and ink, acrylic, and graphite pencil on board

Dimensions
Sheet: 15 7/16 × 12 5/16in. (39.2 × 31.3 cm)

Accession number
76.49

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Rita Reinhardt

Rights and reproductions
©Estate of Ad Reinhardt/Artists Rights Society (ARS)

API
artworks/1644

Exhibitions

Signs & Symbols

June 28–Oct 28, 2012

Ad Reinhardt
42 works in the collection

View artist