Annunciation Study I 1978

Brice Marden made this drawing called Annunciation Study I. Its stark lines and simple shapes, two rectangles divided by alternating stripes, suggest that the artist might be interested in a reductive style, following on from the Minimalist art movement. Marden’s style emerged in the United States during the 1960s, a time of social change and political upheaval. The art world was also shifting. Artists were increasingly questioning traditional forms and subjects, and Marden’s abstractions reflect this spirit of experimentation. The Annunciation theme may seem at odds with the reduction in form. It is possible that Marden's focus on a spiritual theme reflects a broader cultural interest in non-material values, challenging the consumerism of the time. To understand Marden's work fully, it would be useful to consider his place in the gallery system of New York and how this affected his production and reception. Art historians study exhibition records, critical reviews, and artists' statements to uncover these histories.