Untitled (Cube with Ellipses)
Sculpture, geometric glass construction • Larry Bell (American, b. 1939)
Style & Movement
Light and Space movement, Minimalism
Medium & Technique
Vacuum-coated glass and chrome-plated brass frame. The technique involves Larry Bell's signature 'thermal evaporation' process where thin metallic films are deposited onto glass surfaces in a vacuum chamber, creating varying levels of transparency, reflection, and iridescent color.
Creation Period
Circa 1960s-1970s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 12 x 12 inches (typical cube scale); three-dimensional cubic format mounted on a transparent acrylic pedestal.
Subject Description
A glass cube featuring etched or treated elliptical shapes that create a complex interplay of light, shadow, and reflection. The work explores the relationship between the object, the surrounding environment, and the viewer's perception. The geometry is designed to dissolve the mass of the cube through transparency and mirrored effects.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The glass surfaces appear clear, though highly reflective surfaces often show minor surface scratches or interior dust accumulation over time.
Estimated Market Value
$60,000 - $120,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$50,000 - $80,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a contemporary art gallery specializing in the Light and Space movement (e.g., Pace Gallery, Hauser & Wirth). Such pieces often have signatures or dates incised into the metal frame or on the bottom edge of the glass.
Art Historical Significance
Larry Bell is a pioneer of the California Light and Space movement. His cubes are iconic 20th-century sculptures that challenged traditional notions of volume and surface, focusing instead on the phenomenological experience of light and the 'perceptual ambiguity' of the object.
Notable Features
The internal elliptical patterns create a 'kaleidoscope' effect; the use of the acrylic pedestal is characteristic of the period's display aesthetic, making the cube appear to float in space.
Condition Issues
Possible minor oxidation on the chrome-plated brass edges; light fingerprints and micro-abrasions on the glass surface common for this medium.
Conservation Recommendations
Display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight. Handle only with cotton or nitrile gloves to avoid oil transfer to the vacuum-coated surfaces. Use specialized glass cleaning protocols as standard cleaners can damage thin-film coatings.
Collector Notes
Larry bell