Multiplying the associations: David Smith and modern paints

Conference item

The American sculptor, David Smith is widely known for his welded steel constructions, but his work is also characterized by an enduring conversation between drawing and sculpture. Although it has for many years been assumed (erroneously) that Smith only used a self-created mixture of egg yolk and black ink in the abstract calligraphic drawings that he made during the 1950s, new research has demonstrated that in fact Smith utilised a variety of modern paints and resins to nuance his work on paper. The following article illustrates Smith’s use of modern paints by touching briefly on a number of examples where Smith used the expressive potential of alkyds, acrylics and vinyl paints in his work, and discusses the importance of their identification both for their preservation and for the enrichment of our understanding of his work.

Authors: Mulholland, R

• Alternative title: Multiplicar las asociaciones: David Smith y las pinturas modernas
• Publisher: Departamento de Conservación-Restauración del Museo Reina Sofía y GEIIC
• Host title: Postprints, 12ª Jornada de Conservación de Arte Contemporáneo, IIC-GEC, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid
• Publication date: 2011-01-01