Imageless: The Scientific Study and Experimental Treatment of an Ad Reinhardt Black Painting
July 11–September 14, 2008

IMAGELESS: The Scientific Study and Experimental Treatment of an Ad Reinhardt Black Painting documents a comprehensive research project in the field of conservation. In 2001 an important but irreparably damaged painting by Ad Reinhardt, Black Painting (1960–66), was donated by AXA Art Insurance to the Guggenheim Museum as part of a conservation research study and collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art. Over the next five years, conservators, scientists, curators, and artists carried out a complete physical examination and scientific analyses of the work. The exhibition invites visitors to enter the world of the conservator as forensic scientist, to uncover the mystery hidden beneath the monochromatic black painting.

This exhibition is organized by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation’s Conservation Department in collaboration with the Sackler Center for Arts Education. Made possible by a generous grant from AXA Art Insurance Corporation.

Ad Reinhardt in his studio. Photo: John Loengard/TimePix