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ARTWORK STUDY

What Is Painting

1966-68

John Baldessari

Material / technique
Acrylic on canvas
Attribution / role
Collection / source
The Museum of Modern Art

Artwork notes

Artist-wide context

Words and photographs helped him question what a painting should show and how viewers make sense of it.

Materials, marks and colour

Artist-wide context; individual works may differ.

Media and surface

Text, photographs, print and video avoid a single signature medium.

Marks and structure

Cropping, selection and missing information redirect attention.

Palette and light

Plain lettering or flat colour can interrupt a photograph’s familiar hierarchy.

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