Collection Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992

Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992

Donald Sultan American, born 1951
Not On View
Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992
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About the Artwork

The boldly silhouetted oranges bursting with vivid color are in direct contrast to the thick black surface, provoking a passionate and powerful visual response in the viewer. The sense of drama in Sultan's works comes from his early interest in the theater, which he combines with his inspiration from other art movements, such as Abstract Expressionism, Color Field painting, and minimalism. As part of the return to figuration in contemporary art in the 1980s, Sultan abstracts, simplifies, and stylizes this representation of painted oranges against a background made of tar and oil. His unorthodox use of these industrial materials symbolizes American industry, reinforced by his incorporation of vinyl tiles taken from office and factory floors. Looking at art from the past for inspiration, Sultan struck upon the traditional still life for his subject matter, with his choice of oranges as a twist on his trademark lemons, originally inspired by a painting by Édouard Manet that he saw in a retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992

1992

Donald Sultan

born 1951

American

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Tar, spackle, and oil on tile over masonite

Overall: 97 1/2 × 96 3/4 × 5 1/8 inches (247.7 × 245.7 × 13 cm)

Paintings

Contemporary Art after 1950

Founders Society Purchase, Catherine Kresge Dewey Fund, and W. Hawkins Ferry Fund

1994.19

Non-commercial all standard museum

Markings

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Provenance

the artist;
Hill Gallery (Birmingham, Michigan, USA);
1994-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance, please visit:

Provenance page

Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

We welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

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Published References

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We regularly update our object record as new research and findings emerge, and we welcome your feedback for correction and/or improvement.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

© Courtesy of Donald Sultan

Donald Sultan, Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992, 1992, tar, Spackle, and oil on tile over Masonite. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, Catherine Kresge Dewey Fund, and W. Hawkins Ferry Fund, 1994.19.

Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992: Main View of Collection Gallery

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Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992
Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992
Oranges on a Branch March 14, 1992

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