Student Artwork Guide

Name Class Date

charles seliger, Celestial (1956). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist: charles seliger wikioo.org/en/artists/charles-seliger/
Artist’s dates: 1926 – 2009
Painted: 1956
Original size: 38 x 56 cm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. charles seliger died in 2009; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2079. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Celestial — charles seliger

How big is it?

The original measures 38 × 56 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

1920
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Shaded: the lifetime of charles seliger (1926–2009) ▲ this work, 1956

Compare with

Til I am nothing but a Spirit, and lose this form of clay, from Illustrations to the songs from William Blake's Island in the Moon, 1945 wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-til-i-am-nothing-but-a-spirit-and-lose-this-form-AQTGRJ-en/
Dr. South, Locke, Sherlock, Sir Isaac Newton and Thomas Sutton , from Illustrations to the songs from William Blake's Island in the Moon, 1945 wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-dr-south-locke-sherlock-sir-isaac-newton-and-t-AQTGRC-en/
The Mayor, from Illustrations to the songs from William Blake's Island in the Moon, 1945 wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-the-mayor-from-illustrations-to-the-songs-from-wi-AQTGS4-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

White #f0eef3

Catalogued palette

#F0EEF3
#DAD3C5
#B8B2A3
#CAC3B5

Palette: Monochrome The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: White
Intensity: Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Celestial — charles seliger

The Celestial painting by Charles Seliger is a remarkable piece of art that showcases the artist's unique style and technique. Created in 1956, this pen on paper artwork measures 38 x 56 cm and is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the United States.

Composition and Style

The composition of Celestial features a variety of celestial objects, including stars, planets, and moons. The artist's use of shading and contrast creates depth and interest in this captivating piece of art. The overall effect is a dynamic and intricate representation of the night sky, with at least 13 visible stars scattered throughout the painting. Key Features of the painting include:

The presence of three planets, each located in a different area of the composition

A moon situated on the right side of the image, slightly above the middle

The use of pen on paper to create a unique and expressive texture

Artist Background

Charles Seliger was an American abstract expressionist painter born in Manhattan in 1926. He began his career in 1945 and was one of the youngest artists to exhibit at The Art of This Century gallery. Seliger's work is represented in numerous museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Notable Works by Charles Seliger include:

Celestial

Awakening

For more information on Charles Seliger and his work, visit Wikipedia or explore the collection of handmade oil painting reproductions at AllPaintingsStore.com.

The Celestial painting is a testament to Charles Seliger's unique style and contribution to the abstract expressionist movement. Its intricate composition and expressive texture make it a captivating piece of art that continues to inspire and delight audiences today.

Artist

charles seliger

early life and career

charles seliger, a prominent american abstract expressionist painter, was born on june 3, 1926, in manhattan. his artistic journey began at the young age of 19 when he was included in howard putzel’s groundbreaking exhibition a problem for critics at the 67 gallery, located at 67 e.57th street in manhattan, in 1945.

rise to prominence

seliger's work caught the attention of peggy guggenheim, who featured him in her gallery, the art of this century, in 1945. this was a pivotal moment for seliger, marking his entry into the avant-garde circle through his friendship with jimmy ernst, son of max ernst. by 20, seliger's painting natural history: form within rock (1946) was acquired by the museum of modern art for its permanent collection.

notable achievements and exhibitions

inclusion in a problem for critics at 67 gallery (1945)

first solo show at the art of this century gallery (1945)

acquisition by the museum of modern art (1946)

association with the willard gallery (1950)

key points in seliger's career:

view charles seliger’s artworks on AllPaintingsStore.com

read more about charles seliger on wikipedia

explore the museum of modern art's collection, featuring works by seliger and other abstract expressionists

legacy in abstract expressionism

charles seliger's legacy as a pioneering abstract expressionist painter is undeniable, marked by his early and continued involvement in the movement. his small yet impactful paintings have left an indelible mark on the art world, solidifying his place alongside other greats of the new york school. discover more about charles seliger’s life and work on AllPaintingsStore.com

Where to read more

The artist charles seliger wikioo.org/en/artists/charles-seliger/
Similar works More works to compare wikioo.org/en/art/similar/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Celestial

wikioo.org/en/art/download/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: seliger, charles. Celestial. 1956, https://wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/
APA: seliger, charles (1956). Celestial [Painting]. https://wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/
Chicago: charles seliger. Celestial. 1956. https://wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/
Harvard: seliger, charles (1956) Celestial. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/charles-seliger-celestial-AQTGS2-en/

Celestial — charles seliger

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Til I am nothing but a Spirit, and lose this form of clay, from Illustrations to the songs from William Blake's Island in the Moon (1945), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
charles seliger was about 30 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.