New York City 1980

Robert Rauschenberg's 1980 silkscreen print, *New York City*, depicts a stark black and white image of an American flag hanging limply from a brick building, its red and white stripes and stars rendered in a washed-out monotone. The flag's muted colors and drooping form contribute to a feeling of apathy and exhaustion, reflecting the prevailing mood of the time. The image's composition is further emphasized by a "One Way" street sign and a second sign that reads "Enough is Enough". The starkness of the image and the seemingly contradictory messages on the signs underscore the complexities of life in New York City, a place Rauschenberg clearly found inspiring, as he explored the city's visual and social landscape throughout his career.