Xdx
Manierre Dawson
American Art
Manierre Dawson's education in civil engineering contributed to his early experiments with abstract visual language. Well versed in mathematics and trained to design two-dimensional plans that would translate into three-dimensional objects, Dawson here seems to use imaginary mathematical symbols (suggested by the title of the painting and by the grid of lines and the series of contained shapes) to arrive at a form of pure abstraction. Xdx is one of a series of small paintings executed by Dawson in 1910 that are probably the first completely abstract works created by an American artist.
MEDIUM
Oil on paperboard attached to particleboard
DATES
1910
DIMENSIONS
19 1/8 x 14 7/16 in. (48.6 x 36.7 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
Initialled lower center: "M.D."; dated lower left: " '10 "
COLLECTIONS
American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.122
CREDIT LINE
Purchased with funds given by an anonymous donor and Dick S. Ramsay Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Manierre Dawson (American, 1887–1969). Xdx, 1910. Oil on paperboard attached to particleboard, 19 1/8 x 14 7/16 in. (48.6 x 36.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by an anonymous donor and Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 88.122. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 88.122_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 88.122_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
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