A Look Back: Evolution Of An Exhibition Poster

 

On February 14th, 1968, a major exhibition of Adolph Gottlieb's paintings organized jointly by the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opens at both museums in New York City simultaneously – the first and only time this has occurred.

Below are some different ideas Gottlieb considered for a poster for the exhibition. We don't know if he had a poster or book cover in mind, but it's interesting to see his different takes on creating a public image for the exhibition. Each of these studies is fully developed, and as a group they are important artifacts from this exhibition and this period of his career. We hope you enjoy!

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

UNTITLED, c. 1968, acrylic on paper, 9 1/2 x 9 in.

Finally, Gottlieb settled on the following design for the poster (top)
and an advertisement to run on New York City buses (below).