Solving Each Problem as It Arises Artist: John Baldessari (American, 1931–2020)

1966–68

Modern and Contemporary Art

Not on view

This work is one of a small group of text and photo-text paintings on canvas that John Baldessari commissioned from a sign painter in 1967. His decision to use text in this work, not as decoration but as information, reflected his commitment to infuse reality into high art through didactic, confessional image making. Although the works in this series were drawn from textbooks, course lessons, and popular culture, Baldessari presented them on canvas to locate them within the context of painting. This work builds on the conceptual foundation of artists like Marcel Duchamp, who questioned the value of aesthetics and methods of production in high art.

Medium

Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions

67 3/4 × 56 1/2 in. (172.1 × 143.5 cm)

Credit Line

Janet and Simeon Braguin Fund

Accession Number

2001.3.1

Culture

American

Period

20th century

Classification

Paintings

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Sold from his first New York exhibition at the Richard Feigen Gallery, 1970
Bibliography
  • Art for Yale: Collecting for a New Century, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2007), 312, pl. 297
  • "Acquisitions 2001," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2002), 143, ill
Object copyright
Copyright John Baldessari/ Marian Goodman Gallery
In Copyright
Additional information

Object/Work type

words, numbers, symbols art (visual works)

Subject

text

Technical metadata and APIs

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Open in Mirador

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