ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG | 22 CARATS, 1979

Private collection, USA

Sotheby's New York, 9th November 1989, lot 353

Private collection, Geneva (purchased at the above sale)

Private collection (gifted from the above)

Created using two of Rauschenberg’s characteristic techniques – fabric collage and solvent transfer – 22 Carat (Spread) is one of the few drawings included in the Spread series. “Spread” is a term used to describe a wide expanse of land, as well as a fabric covering. The title 22 Carat refers to the weight of a diamond or the purity of gold. While referring to the material weight, the amount of carats is often synonymous with quality. Here, the bright yellow fabric may have inspired Rauschenberg for the title of the work. As sources of inspiration, Rauschenberg used found sports imagery, mostly from Sports Illustrated, highlighting extraordinary human feats of athleticism. The idea of movement is compositionally juxtaposed by incorporating objects of movement such as bicycles, vehicles, or signs of motion. In the present work, the artist included a transfer image from an advertisement for Pennzoil Motor Oil, which features the Atlas Van Lines, “Blue Blaster” racing speedboat.

Created between 1975 to 1983 in his studio in Captiva, Florida, the Spread series combines several of Rauschenberg’s noteworthy techniques. The artist began using the solvent transfer technique in his early 1950s drawings. To create the effect, solvents were applied to printed media to transfer the pigments onto paper and fabric collage, resulting in mirror-images. Rauschenberg used fabric throughout his career; he often incorporated fabric into his Combines (1954-64) and created series predominantly composed of fabric including the Hoarfrosts (1974-76) and Jammers (1975-76).

Today, works from the Spread series are included in some of the most prestigious museum collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Tate Modern, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; and The Baltimore Museum of Art.

We kindly thank the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation for the information they generously provided about this work.