Retroactive I 1964

"Retroactive I" (1964) by Robert Rauschenberg is a prime example of the artist's signature Combines, a style that utilizes found objects and imagery in a layered composition. This artwork depicts a collage of different images including a photo of John F. Kennedy, a parachuting astronaut, and a field of tomatoes. The work captures the spirit of the 1960s, showcasing the anxieties and aspirations of a time marked by technological advancements and political upheaval. The use of found objects and contrasting colors adds to the complex and multi-layered narrative of the piece. The work is housed at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut, where viewers can appreciate its unique visual language.