Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Odol

Name Class Date

Stuart Davis, Odol. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
Stuart Davis wikioo.org/en/artists/stuart-davis/
Artist’s dates
1892 – 1964
Medium
Ink On Paper
Movement
Pop Art Art made from advertising, comics and packaging, treating supermarket images as worth a gallery wall.
Period
Modern
Influences
Commercial art, American Modernism, Cubism, Pop Art
Notable_elements
Bold outlines, simplified geometric forms, commercial branding, graphic style
Style
Graphic, illustrative, pop art
Subject
Everyday household objects, specifically a bottle of Odol mouthwash, a glass, and a can

In context

Odol — Stuart Davis

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1890
  2. 1900
  3. 1910
  4. 1920
  5. 1930
  6. 1940
  7. 1950
  8. 1960

Shaded: the lifetime of Stuart Davis (1892–1964)

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

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/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Bronze #daa650

    Catalogued palette

    • #DAA650
    • #5E3A07
    • #98ABAE
    • #DEE2DA
    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Bronze
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity 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
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    About this artwork

    Odol — Stuart Davis

    Subject and Composition

    This captivating artwork presents a stylized, almost cartoon-like depiction of everyday household objects, prominently featuring a bottle of "Odol" mouthwash, a glass, and a can, arranged on a surface that hints at a kitchen or bathroom setting. The composition employs a balanced triangular arrangement, guiding the viewer’s eye across the scene with clarity and purpose. The central placement of the Odol bottle draws immediate attention, emphasizing the brand’s prominence within the scene, while the surrounding objects create a harmonious visual dialogue that celebrates mundane, yet familiar, items of daily life.

    Artistic Style and Technique

    Rendered in a bold, graphic style reminiscent of pop art and modernist illustration, this piece employs clean, bold outlines and flat, vibrant colors to create a striking visual impact. The artist uses simplified geometric shapes—cylinders, rectangles, and circles—paired with minimal shading, to evoke a sense of flatness and two-dimensionality. The technique suggests acrylic or gouache application, resulting in crisp, even color fields that enhance the work’s graphic quality. This approach not only emphasizes the objects’ forms but also imbues the scene with a playful, almost comic-like aesthetic that invites viewers into a world of stylized realism.

    Historical Context and Artistic Significance

    Drawing inspiration from the modernist movement and pop art, this piece reflects a period when artists began exploring consumer culture and everyday objects as worthy subjects of fine art. The simplified forms and bold outlines echo the influence of artists like Stuart Davis, who celebrated the vibrancy of American urban life and commercial imagery. The work’s flattened perspective and graphic style challenge traditional notions of depth and realism, positioning mundane items as icons of modern life and cultural identity. It captures a moment of artistic experimentation that bridges commercial art and fine art, making it a compelling piece for collectors and enthusiasts interested in the evolution of modernist aesthetics.

    Symbolism and Emotional Impact

    At first glance, the scene may seem playful and straightforward, but it subtly invites reflection on themes of consumerism, branding, and the everyday rituals that define modern existence. The prominent display of the Odol brand, with its detailed labeling, underscores the ubiquity of commercial products and their role in shaping personal and cultural identity. The restrained color palette and graphic style evoke nostalgia, while also celebrating the beauty found in ordinary objects. This artwork’s emotional resonance lies in its ability to transform the mundane into a visual celebration, inspiring viewers to appreciate the artistry inherent in daily life.

    Perfect for Collection and Interior Design

    Ideal for art lovers, collectors, and interior designers seeking a distinctive statement piece, this reproduction offers a vibrant addition to contemporary or modern decor. Its bold lines and graphic appeal make it suitable for display in kitchens, living rooms, or creative workspaces, where it can serve as a conversation starter and a source of inspiration. Whether as a standalone focal point or part of a curated collection of modernist or pop art, this artwork embodies a playful yet sophisticated aesthetic that elevates any space with its cultural richness and visual clarity.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Stuart Davis

    Born in Philadelphia, United States of America

    Stuart Davis: A Pioneer of American Modernism

    Early Life and Training

    Born on December 7, 1892, in Philadelphia, Stuart Davis was immersed in an artistic environment from a young age. His father, Edward Wyatt Davis, served as the art editor for the Philadelphia Press, while his mother, Helen Stuart Davis, was a sculptor. This familial background undoubtedly fostered his early interest in visual arts.

    Davis received formal training at the Robert Henri School of Art in New York City from 1909 to 1912 under the guidance of Robert Henri. During this period, he formed lasting friendships with fellow painters John Sloan, Glenn Coleman, and Henry Glintenkamp.

    Early Career and the Armory Show

    Davis quickly gained recognition as one of the youngest exhibitors at the pivotal Armory Show in 1913. He presented five watercolor paintings that reflected the style of the Ashcan School, marking an early step in his artistic journey.

    Artistic Development and Style

    Throughout the 1920s, Davis developed his distinctive mature style. He began creating abstract still lifes and landscapes characterized by a proto-pop art element, incorporating contemporary subject matter like cigarette packages and spark plug advertisements into his compositions.

    His work is known for its bold, brash, and colorful nature. Davis’s artistic expression was profoundly influenced by his love of jazz music, which became increasingly evident in his paintings from the 1940s and 1950s. The Ashcan School movement also played a crucial role in shaping his early aesthetic sensibilities.

    Influences and Inspirations

    Robert Henri: Provided foundational training and encouraged direct observation of life.

    Ashcan School: Influenced his initial focus on urban realism and everyday subjects.

    Cubism: Inspired his exploration of abstract forms and fragmented perspectives.

    Jazz Music: Contributed to the rhythmic energy and improvisational quality of his paintings.

    Notable Works

    Odol (Modernism), completed in 1928, stands as a prime example of Davis’s unique style. This painting exemplifies his ability to blend abstract forms with recognizable imagery from popular culture.

    Other significant works include Rocks, Gloucester (1915), The Mellow Pad, and Tropes de Teens (1956).

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Stuart Davis’s contributions to American Modernism are undeniable. He paved the way for future generations of artists by challenging traditional artistic conventions and embracing contemporary themes.

    As a pioneer in abstract art, he helped establish a distinctly American voice within the broader context of modern art history. His work continues to inspire and influence artists today, solidifying his place as a significant figure in 20th-century art.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Odol

    wikioo.org/en/art/download/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Davis, Stuart. Odol. n.d., https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/
    APA
    Davis, Stuart (n.d.). Odol [Painting]. https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/
    Chicago
    Stuart Davis. Odol. n.d. https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/
    Harvard
    Davis, Stuart (n.d.) Odol. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/stuart-davis-odol-8LT7WX-en/

    Look closely

    Odol — Stuart Davis

    Look closely

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

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: household objects, brand imagery, consumer culture. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Rocks, Gloucester (1915), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Pop Art: Art made from advertising, comics and packaging, treating supermarket images as worth a gallery wall. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

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

    Art quiz

    Odol — Stuart Davis

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. Who is the artist of the artwork titled 'Odol'?

      • A Pablo Picasso
      • B Stuart Davis
      • C Andy Warhol
    2. 2. What artistic style is 'Odol' primarily associated with?

      • A Impressionism
      • B Pop Art
      • C Abstract Expressionism
    3. 3. Which objects are depicted in Stuart Davis's 'Odol'?

      • A A bicycle, a hat, and a shoe
      • B A bottle of mouthwash, a glass, and a can
      • C A tree, a house, and a car
    4. 4. What technique is most evident in 'Odol'?

      • A Detailed shading and realistic textures
      • B Bold outlines and flat color fields
      • C Impressionistic brushwork
    5. 5. What is a common theme reflected in 'Odol'?

      • A Nature and landscape
      • B Everyday consumer products and commercial branding
      • C Historical events

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1B · 2B · 3B · 4B · 5B