The Liver is the Cock's Comb
Painting on canvas • Arshile Gorky
Style & Movement
Biomorphic Abstraction / Early Abstract Expressionism / Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing thin glazes, fluid linework, and gestural washes typical of the early stages of Abstract Expressionism
Creation Period
1944
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 186 cm × 249 cm (73.2 in × 98 in); Large-scale landscape format
Subject Description
A complex, semi-abstract composition featuring organic, viscera-like forms that suggest anatomy, botany, and sexuality. The central imagery is often interpreted as a synthesis of animalistic and floral elements, exploring the subconscious and the artist's Armenian heritage through a lens of psychological turmoil.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (based on historical context); Original works of this scale and age typically show some fine craquelure and thinning of glazes
Estimated Market Value
$30,000,000 - $50,000,000 (estimation based on historical significance and lack of availability of major Gorky works in private hands)
Auction Estimate
$25,000,000 - $40,000,000
Provenance History
Acquired by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in 1956 from Julian Levy Gallery; originally part of Gorky's pivotal solo exhibition at the Julian Levy Gallery in 1945
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of the 20th century, this painting represents the bridge between European Surrealism (Miró, Matta) and American Abstract Expressionism. It is considered Gorky's most ambitious and complex work, signaling the birth of the New York School.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive palette of sepia and earth tones punctuated by vibrant primary colors. The painting's title is reportedly based on an old Armenian proverb, adding a layer of personal and cultural identity to the abstraction.
Condition Issues
Potential surface dirt, stable craquelure, and minor age-related darkening of the varnish layer; Gorky's thin application of paint makes the surface delicate and prone to abrasion.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting. Periodic surface cleaning by a specialist in 20th-century modernism is recommended to preserve the integrity of the thin oil glazes.