The artwork, titled “Ass: Maquette for the Elbow Series (A2),” was created by John Baldessari in 1999. It belongs to the art movements of Conceptual Art and Pop Art and is categorized within the figurative genre.
The artwork is a composite of three panels. The upper left panel features a photograph of a cactus with small, reddish fruit. The top right panel is stark black, with the word “ASS” inscribed in plain, white capital letters. The bottom right panel presents a close-up image of a painted figure’s face—possibly an antique or classical painting—showing a solemn expression and intricate headwear. This juxtaposition of photographic imagery with textual elements exemplifies Baldessari’s signature approach of integrating language with visual representation, prompting the observer to contemplate the associations and interpretations that arise from this combination.