Robert Rauschenberg

by Sam Hunter

Throughout his illustrious career, Robert Rauschenberg has consistently challenged the prevailing ideologies and techniques of the art world. One of our greatest American artists, he redefined what materials were suitable for art, boldly rebelling against the predominant abstract expressionism of the time. This insightful analysis into Rauschenberg's work and life examines his bravery in pushing beyond technical and aesthetic frontiers as well as his influential dissemination of photography, film, and television, which altered the genre of traditional painting.

Rauschenberg's seminal works--from his "combines" (urban trash on painted surfaces) to his silk screens--are reproduced here in full color. The author also discusses some of the artist's more recent projects, including ROCI, Rauschenberg's own exhibition organization that showcases diverse artists from all over the world. Through beautiful photography and authoritative text, here is a well-rounded overview of one of the world's most pivotal artists.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

128 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2000

About the author

Sam Hunter (January 5, 1923 – July 27, 2014) was an American historian of modern art. He was an author, an Emeritus professor of art history at Princeton University, director of the Jewish Museum, founding director of the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, acting director of the Minneapolis Institute of Art and a visiting professor at the Clark Art Institute at Williams College, Harvard University and various other institutions of higher learning.

He penned monographs, exhibition catalogues, articles, wrote the original book on the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, contributed to textbooks and various treatments of modern art. In addition to curating many museum and gallery exhibitions, Hunter has written on Francis Bacon, Tom Wesselman, George Segal, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Jackson Pollock, and many other contemporary and modern masters.