Blue Sun (Burst Series)
Painting on canvas • Attributed to Adolph Gottlieb (manner of or school of)
Style & Movement
Abstract Expressionism, specifically the 'Burst' series aesthetic within the New York School
Medium & Technique
Oil and/or acrylic on canvas, employing 'Color Field' staining techniques and 'Action Painting' gestural application
Creation Period
Circa 1960s–1970s
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 40 x 30 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
The composition features a biomorphic duality characteristic of the Burst series: an upper ethereal, glowing blue orb with a hazy corona, set against a lower, jagged, chaotic dark form representing terrestrial or primal energy. The background is a flat, atmospheric green-blue field.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The canvas shows a visible weave, and colors appear saturated, though the image quality suggests potential surface dust or slight yellowing of varnish.
Estimated Market Value
$50,000 - $150,000 (if authenticated as a Gottlieb); $2,000 - $5,000 (if identified as a follower/workshop piece)
Auction Estimate
$40,000 - $120,000 (for an original study or smaller canvas)
Provenance History
Unknown. The style aligns with post-war American abstract collections. No visible signatures or labels are present in the provided image.
Art Historical Significance
This work represents the 'Burst' motif which Gottlieb used to explore the tension between the Apollonian (order/sun) and the Dionysian (chaos/jagged mark), a core tenet of mid-century American modernism.
Notable Features
The use of a blue-on-green palette is a softer variation of the more common red-on-white 'Burst' motifs, highlighting a more meditative and atmospheric quality in the artist's color theory.
Condition Issues
Minor surface abrasions at edges; potential slight craquelure in the thicker impasto of the lower black form; possible slight fading from UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove surface grime; archival framing with UV-protective museum glass; maintain a stable climate of 50% humidity and 70°F.