Study Attic Series XII 1991

Robert Mangold made "Study Attic Series XII" in 1991, a work that compels us to consider the very nature of artistic creation and the institutions that frame it. With its stark geometric forms and muted palette, the image presents itself as a self-conscious study of pictorial space. Produced in the United States, "Study Attic Series XII" reflects a broader trend in American art of the late 20th century, where artists questioned the conventions of the traditional picture plane. Was it progressive for its time? Well, it certainly engaged with the legacy of abstraction while simultaneously critiquing its tendency towards grandiosity. This is where the role of the historian becomes crucial. By consulting period writings on art and institutional records, we can better understand Mangold's place within the art world. Ultimately, the meaning of "Study Attic Series XII" is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was made and received.