Hotbillowrasp 1983

Stanley Boxer created "Hotbillowrasp" using oil, pastel, and possibly other media. He was part of a generation of American artists who came to maturity in the aftermath of Abstract Expressionism. The art world in the U.S., and in New York, in particular, had become a self-sustaining system in which critics, dealers, and collectors acted as gatekeepers. One could argue, then, that Boxer's heavily textured surfaces offered a fresh take on the prevailing trends of the time. His application of paint subverts the clean, flat surfaces that were becoming increasingly common. Art historians analyze the visual qualities of an artwork, like Boxer's, while also looking at the social and institutional context in which it was created, studied, and exhibited. Through careful research, we can better understand an artist's place in their time. Ultimately, this helps us better understand our present.