Untitled (Blue Print)
Cyanotype photogram on blueprint paper • Robert Rauschenberg and Susan Weil
Style & Movement
Early Conceptual Art / Avant-Garde / Post-War American Art
Medium & Technique
Cyanotype process, direct contact photogram technique capturing life-sized human silhouette
Creation Period
Circa 1949-1951
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 72 x 36 inches, vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A life-sized silhouette of a female figure (Susan Weil) posed in profile holding a cane or walking stick against a deep Prussian blue background, captured as a photogram using sensitized blueprint paper exposed to light.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Shows expected aging for mid-century photosensitive paper, with some edge chipping, surface creasing, and light fading along the lower border.
Estimated Market Value
$100,000 - $250,000
Auction Estimate
$80,000 - $150,000
Provenance History
Created collaboratively by Robert Rauschenberg and his then-wife Susan Weil during their time studying at Black Mountain College and later in Paris. Retained in private family or artist estate collections.
Art Historical Significance
These early blueprints are among Rauschenberg's earliest and most innovative works, predating his famous white paintings and combine paintings. They pushed the boundaries of photography and printmaking by utilizing the human body directly as a photographic negative.
Notable Features
The haunting, ghostly X-ray-like aesthetic created by the cyanotype process; represents an extremely rare surviving example of Rauschenberg and Weil's collaborative blueprint experiments.
Condition Issues
Minor edge tears, paper brittleness, surface abrasions, and slight UV fading typical of vintage cyanotypes from this era.
Conservation Recommendations
Store and display away from direct sunlight in UV-protective, acid-free framing with museum glass. Maintain controlled humidity and temperature to prevent further paper degradation.
Collector Notes
Robert Rauschenberg