Freeze and Melt

13 October, gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Scott C. Anixter (Glencoe, IL) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

• Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Bulletin/Biennial Report 1995-1997." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1998. p. 112
• Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. "Christina Ramberg." Boston: Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, 2013. pp. 32, 57, 60
• Nadel, Dan. "How Would a Comb That Cannot Untangle Hair Look?: The Art of Christina Ramberg." Artforum Vol. 56, No. 6. Accessed February 2018. https://www.artforum.com/print/201802/dan-nadel-on-the-art-of-christina-ramberg-73666

• Toward the Texture of Knowing: Haggerty Museum of Art, 1/17/2020–7/26/2020
• Christina Ramberg: Institute of Contemporary Art-Boston, 11/13/2013–3/2/2014

This vertically oriented painting portrays an abstract composition of geometric and organic shapes in various colors and patterns, suggesting the fragmented body and clothing of a torso, arms, and legs. The left arm, depicted in grey tones with a pattern of intersecting rectangles, extends only to the elbow. The torso comprises four distinct sections. The left side is dark orange overlaid with a black grid pattern, suggestive of a vest. To the right, a brighter orange section appears to glow brightly from within and brush strokes are clearly visible. The right half of the torso is divided into a pink area with thin black stripes and a green area with wide vertical stripes that flare out on bottom like a peplum. The right arm mirrors the pink striped pattern of the torso. Extending from the shoulder to the wrist, its shape resembles a rounded table leg that tapers towards the bottom. A white envelope rests atop the right shoulder. Below the torso, a medium-light skin toned semicircle represents the figure’s waistline. Beneath this is a small garment, primarily red with light blue highlights and black details. A pattern of small black circles covers this area, creating a richly textured appearance. Symmetrical lines and shading in the center suggest folds. Extending from this midsection are two leg shapes. The left leg is a medium-light skin-toned oval. The right leg is represented by stacked rectangles painted with a woodgrain pattern in black, red and green. A smooth, curved shape appears in front of the stack. The painting’s background is a flat, neutral beige, allowing the richly textured forms to stand out prominently.

• North America
• Paintings
• Alt Text Accessible

The Chazen Museum of Art welcomes comments or inquiries about works in our collection. Please allow two–three weeks for a response. Chazen staff is not able to provide valuations or authentications and such inquiries cannot be answered.