Harran II
Painting on shaped canvas • Frank Stella
Style & Movement
Minimalism / Hard-edge Painting / Post-Painterly Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Polymer and fluorescent polymer paint on shaped canvas using the Protractor series technique of flat, precise bands of color separated by thin lines of unpainted canvas.
Creation Period
1967
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 120 x 240 inches (10 x 20 feet); a large-scale horizontal format composed of three main architectural sections.
Subject Description
A geometric abstraction based on the intersection and juxtaposition of circular arcs and squares. The composition belongs to the 'Protractor Series', named after ancient circular cities in Asia Minor (Harran). It features interlocking bands of vibrant, often fluorescent colors that create a sense of architectural movement and rhythm.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. As a museum-grade piece typically housed at institutions like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum or similar, it is maintained in a climate-controlled environment.
Estimated Market Value
$25,000,000 - $45,000,000
Auction Estimate
$20,000,000 - $40,000,000
Provenance History
Acquired directly from the artist or through high-level galleries (such as Leo Castelli) by major public or private collections; often associated with the Guggenheim Museum collection.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work in 20th-century abstraction. It marks Stella's transition from the monochrome Black Paintings to complex, colorful, and massive shaped canvases. It challenged the traditional 'window on the world' perspective of art, emphasizing the painting as a physical object ('What you see is what you see').
Notable Features
Features the signature 'shaped canvas' format that deviates from the traditional rectangular frame. The work utilizes a mathematical logic based on the geometry of the protractor tool.
Condition Issues
Minimal to none visible; potential for light sensitivity due to fluorescent pigments if not properly maintained, and minor surface dust or edge wear common to large-scale unconveniently shaped stretchers.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strict UV-filtered lighting and stable 50% humidity. Professional cleaning of the unprimed canvas gutters between paint bands if necessary; avoid any localized pressure on the large-scale fabric spans.