Claes Oldenburg

Untitled (Tar Pits)
1968

An artwork featuring a mix of abstract and representational elements, with a large olive-green shape resembling a pear or a twisted figure at the top, and various scribbles and text throughout. On the right side, there are black and red scribbles with the words "TAR PITS" in red. Below the green shape, there's a red sketch that appears to be a loose interpretation of a reclining figure with the text "morning session" beside it. In the bottom right corner, there's a yellow and red printed label that reads "SALE" with additional text, and the artist's signature and the number 60/70 are present at the bottom.
An artwork featuring a mix of abstract and representational elements, with a large olive-green shape resembling a pear or a twisted figure at the top, and various scribbles and text throughout. On the right side, there are black and red scribbles with the words "TAR PITS" in red. Below the green shape, there's a red sketch that appears to be a loose interpretation of a reclining figure with the text "morning session" beside it. In the bottom right corner, there's a yellow and red printed label that reads "SALE" with additional text, and the artist's signature and the number 60/70 are present at the bottom.

Not on view

Date
1968

Classification
Prints

Medium
Lithograph

Dimensions
Sheet: 22 11/16 × 15 3/4in. (57.6 × 40 cm) Image: 20 × 14 1/8in. (50.8 × 35.9 cm)

Accession number
70.33.12

Edition
60/100 | 15 APs, 5 TPs, 1 PP II, 1 RTP, 3 GELs, 1 C

Publication
Printed by Jim Webb; printed by Dan Gualdoni; published by Gemini G.E.L.

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase

Rights and reproductions
© Claes Oldenburg

API
artworks/7254

Part of a series:

Notes

12 works

This image features a collage of various sketches and handwritten notes on different pieces of lined and unlined paper. The top left sketch shows two pairs of legs, one with a floral pattern, titled "Mars," and "4 G.P. Tech." Below it, there's a drawing of two empty pant legs with the note "Two More Walking." To the right, a blue sketch depicts a wave or cloud-like form with the signature "M.B.E." Below these images, there's a colorful sketch of a reclining figure with red stripes, titled "Three Diner," and the edition number "60/100" is written below it. The artist's signature, "Oldenburg 89," is inscribed at the bottom right.
This image features a collection of artistic sketches and elements. At the top, there's a vibrant orange and purple sketch of a sailboat on waves, with the sun setting or rising in the background. Below, on a beige background, is a conceptual drawing of block letters spelling "MUSEUM" with a three-dimensional effect. To the right of this are two smaller sketches, one resembling a mug and the other a geometric shape. In the bottom right corner, there's a small black and white print of a dense cityscape. The image contains handwritten text, including "60/100" and a signature with the date '84, indicating it's a limited print.
Illustration featuring a whimsical drawing of a drum set with the caption "drum set in the valley [dawn]" and a vibrant sketch of a fountain pen with ink flowing from its nib, both on lined paper, accompanied by a small printed image of a dishwasher taped to the side. The artwork is signed and numbered at the bottom.
This image features a mixed media artwork with various elements. At the center is a large, roughly torn piece of brown paper with red tape on its corners, affixed to a white background. On the brown paper, there's a sketch of a mushroom cloud from an explosion, with the words "War Memorial P.O.P." written above. Below the brown paper, there's a small yellow sticky note with a drawing of a plane dropping a bomb, and to the right, a photograph of a rusty, spherical object on a dark surface. Alongside these elements, there are handwritten inscriptions, including "Airplanes for Mary Poppins" in red ink, and the artist's signature and date "Oldenburg 68" in black ink. The number "60/100" suggests this is a limited edition piece.
This image features a collage of various artistic elements on a white background. At the top left, there are two small sketches of cartoon-like characters with signatures beneath them. Dominating the center is a large, abstract black shape resembling Mickey Mouse's head and ears, with a chaotic scribble below it and a backdrop of gold brush strokes. Below, to the left, is a green silhouette of a submarine with its periscope above water. In the bottom left corner, there's a small black and white photograph of palm trees and a fallen billboard or sign. To the right, a blue scribble on graph paper is accompanied by the text "aflat, face down" and a signature. The artwork is numbered "60/100" at the bottom left, indicating it's part of a limited series.
This is an image of a mixed-media artwork featuring various abstract elements. In the top left corner, there is a small, square picture with a red sailboat on a body of water near a rocky shore. The rest of the artwork includes abstract representations of sailboats in orange print, with one appearing to be on a watery surface. There's also a cut-out piece of paper with a wireframe cone shape drawn on it, and another cut-out with blue and cream layers and a squiggly line, possibly representing water. The image has pieces of tape graphics as if the cut-outs are taped to the background. The artwork is signed and numbered at the bottom, indicating it's part of a limited series.
This image features a collage of various elements including a maroon background with white line drawings of geometric shapes and the text "Giant Mr Kassel" written below. Adjacent to this is a yellow ticket stub labeled "CUSTOM LANDSCAPE." Below, there's a green and beige section with a sketch of a landscape and a flower, accompanied by handwritten text "for Kassel deviled navel potato chip (garlic sauce)." To the right, there's a small image of a fruit resembling a human figure and a green stamp with the word "arrivée" over "dOCUMENTA." The artist's signature and the year '89 are at the bottom right.
This image features a collage of artistic elements including a black square with a white line drawing of a hat and a boot, a green postage stamp with a profile portrait, and various handwritten signatures and scribbles. Below these elements is a large, abstract blue and black ink blot that resembles a reclining figure. The artwork has a mix of text and numbers, suggesting it may be part of a limited series.
This image features a mixed media artwork with various elements. At the top, handwritten text reads "New Pasadena Museum" with words like "Auditorium" and "Exhibitions" branching off. Below, more text reads "Books Restaurant." A large, red, upside-down megaphone with the words "YALE TALK" printed on it dominates the left side. To the right, there's a small, beige-colored paper with a pencil drawing of a paperclip. At the bottom, a red, scribbled line spells out "with anyon" followed by "old giant can rey," and the artist's signature and the year '88 are in the bottom right corner. The piece is numbered "60/100" in the bottom left corner.
Illustration of a boxing glove striking with the word "punch" written below it, sketched on a yellow sticky note that is taped to a white background. Additional sketches and signatures are present at the bottom of the page.

Claes Oldenburg
123 works in the collection

View artist

On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.