The Swimmer in the Econo-mist (Painting I)

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (the USA).

James Rosenquist created this large work on the anti-war theme after visiting Germany, once again united into one country. The artist was incredibly struck by the big difference between the eastern and western parts of this European state. The picture consists of three parts, in each of which the author depicted various aspects of the ending century with its bloody wars and terrifying destruction. Rosenquist created this canvas in a style similar to his famous painting “F-111”; it also contains references to some of his other early works. The left part of the canvas has black and white colours and includes elements of the famous “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso. It gradually turns into a colour image, dominated by the images of equipment and consumer goods painted in reddish tones twisted into an energetic all-consuming whirlpool.