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La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre

Edward Ruscha’s iconic ‘La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre’ captures a dramatic mountainscape with an orange sunset, reflecting the artist's Pop Art style and Los Angeles influences – discover this unique artwork.

Discover Ed Ruscha (b. 1937), a Pop Art pioneer known for paintings blending typography, photography & American landscapes. Explore iconic works like 'Every Building on Sunset Strip'!

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Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 263

Quick Facts

  • Subject or theme: Landscape, Sunset
  • Influences:
    • Hopper
    • Johns
  • Notable elements: Mountain, sunset, text
  • Title: La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre
  • Artist: Edward Ruscha IV
  • Medium: Painting

Artwork Description

La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre – A Desert Reverie by Edward Ruscha

Edward Joseph Ruscha IV’s 1999 painting, “La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre,” is more than a depiction of a mountain; it's a distilled meditation on the American West, rendered with the stark precision and evocative detachment characteristic of Ruscha’s mature style. The image presents a simplified, almost geometric representation of La Brea Mountain in California, its snow-capped peak a silent sentinel against a vibrant orange sunset. The inclusion of “La Brea” – a name synonymous with oil derricks and the nascent energy boom of Southern California – immediately anchors the work within a specific historical and geographical context. Ruscha’s deliberate reduction of detail elevates the scene beyond mere landscape painting, transforming it into a powerful symbol of industrial intrusion upon the natural world.

Pop Art Roots and Influential Mentors

Created in 1999, this piece firmly situates itself within Ruscha's established artistic trajectory. Having emerged from the Ferus Gallery group in Los Angeles during the early 1960s – a pivotal moment for Pop Art – Ruscha developed a unique visual language characterized by meticulous detail and an almost clinical observation of everyday subjects. His formative years at the Chouinard Art Institute, under the tutelage of Robert Irwin and Emerson Woelffer, instilled in him a rigorous approach to drawing and composition. Crucially, his influences were diverse and profound, ranging from Jasper Johns’ iconic repetition to the emotionally resonant landscapes of Edward Hopper, particularly *Gas* (1940), which demonstrated a similar ability to convey atmosphere through simplified forms. The echoes of Marcel Duchamp's conceptual explorations are also subtly present, challenging traditional notions of representation.

Technique and Materiality – A Controlled Minimalism

Ruscha’s technique in “La Brea” exemplifies his commitment to controlled minimalism. Executed with a precise hand, the painting utilizes a limited palette of blues, oranges, and whites, creating a sense of luminous clarity. The application of paint is deliberately smooth and even, avoiding any visible brushstrokes – a hallmark of Ruscha’s process. This meticulousness reflects a fascination with the mechanics of image-making itself, mirroring his later explorations in photorealistic printing techniques. The use of acrylic paints allowed for layering and blending, contributing to the painting's subtle gradations of color and its overall sense of depth. The artwork’s surface is remarkably flat, further emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the composition.

Symbolism and Emotional Resonance

Beyond its technical merits, “La Brea, Sunset, Orange, De Longpre” carries a significant symbolic weight. The mountain itself represents resilience and permanence against the backdrop of human ambition. The orange sunset – often associated with both beauty and impending darkness – adds an element of melancholy and perhaps even foreboding, hinting at the potential consequences of unchecked industrial development. The inclusion of the name "La Brea" directly confronts the viewer with the region's complex history, a place forever linked to oil extraction and its impact on the California landscape. The painting’s quiet grandeur evokes a sense of solitude and contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature and the enduring power of the American West.


Artist Biography

Edward Joseph Ruscha IV: A Pioneer of Pop Art

Early Life and Education

  • Born on December 16, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, Edward Joseph Ruscha IV grew up in a Roman Catholic family.
  • He showed an early interest in art, particularly cartooning, nurtured by his mother’s support.
  • Ruscha moved to Los Angeles in 1956 and studied at the Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts) from 1956-1960 under Robert Irwin and Emerson Woelffer.
  • During his time at Chouinard, he co-edited the journal *Orb*, a precursor to alternative newspapers.

Artistic Development and Influences

  • Ruscha’s artistic journey began in the early 1960s, aligning him with the Ferus Gallery group in Los Angeles.
  • He was influenced by a diverse range of artists including Jasper Johns, John McLaughlin, H.C. Westermann, Arthur Dove, Alvin Lustig, and Marcel Duchamp.
  • The work of Edward Hopper, particularly his painting *Gas* (1940), also resonated with Ruscha’s developing style.
  • His early works explored the visual language of commercialism and everyday American life.

Key Themes and Style

  • Ruscha is renowned for his incorporation of text and phrases into paintings, often presented in a flat, deadpan aesthetic.
  • He frequently depicted commonplace subjects like gas stations, motels, and landscapes of Southern California.
  • His photographic books, such as Every Building on the Sunset Strip (1966), are iconic examples of his conceptual approach to art.
  • A key theme in Ruscha’s work is the exploration of vernacular language and the visual culture of Los Angeles.

Major Achievements and Notable Works

  • Some of his most celebrated works include:
    • Standard Station (1966): A quintessential representation of American roadside architecture.
    • Large Trademark (1962): An early example of his word-based paintings.
    • Hollywood (1982): Reflecting the iconic imagery of Los Angeles.
    • Every Building on the Sunset Strip (1966): A groundbreaking photographic book documenting a stretch of Sunset Boulevard.
  • Ruscha’s work challenged traditional notions of painting and photography, blurring the boundaries between art forms.

Historical Significance and Legacy

  • Ruscha is considered a pivotal figure in the Pop Art movement, though his style often transcends easy categorization.
  • His influence extends to contemporary artists working with language, photography, and conceptual art.
  • He helped establish Los Angeles as a significant center for artistic innovation during the 1960s.
  • Ruscha continues to live and work in Culver City, California, remaining an active and influential force in the art world.
edward joseph ruscha iv

edward joseph ruscha iv

1937 - , United States of America

Quick Facts

  • Birth Date: December 16, 1937
  • Birth Place: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
  • Influenced By:
    • Jasper Johns
    • John McLaughlin
    • H.C. Westermann
    • Arthur Dove
    • Alvin Lustig
    • Marcel Duchamp
    • Edward Hopper
  • Movement: Pop Art
  • Name: Edward Joseph Ruscha IV
  • Nationality: American
  • Notable Works:
    • Standard Station (1966)
    • Large Trademark (1962)
    • Hollywood (1982)
    • Every Building on the Sunset Strip (1966)
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