The artwork “Fox: Maquette for the Elbow Series (B1)” by artist John Baldessari, created in 1999, is a distinctive piece that belongs to the Conceptual and Pop Art movements. It is categorized under the figurative genre. This particular work exemplifies Baldessari’s unique approach to art, where he frequently employed the combination of text and image to challenge traditional modes of representation and to engage viewers in a dialogue about perception and the nature of art itself.
The artwork consists of three panels appearing in a triptych configuration. In the upper left-hand panel, there is a close-up photograph of what looks like sagebrush or a similarly silvery plant with a pronounced textural quality. Adjacent to this in the upper right-hand panel, we see a portion of a face, in darkness and deep shadow, with a cigarette dangling from the lips. This partial portrayal of the face suggests a mysterious or incomplete narrative. The lower half of the composition is occupied by a third panel with a black background and the word “FOX” written in bold white lettering.
The formal composition forces a relationship between the disparate elements—the tactile vegetation, the obscured visage, and the declarative text—prompting viewers to construct their own interpretations. Baldessari’s juxtaposition of these elements might compel the audience to consider the connotations of the word “fox,” possibly as a sly character akin to the partially hidden face or maybe in contrast with the naturalistic imagery of the plant life.
In creating connections or experiencing dissonances between the visual and the textual, the artwork reinforces the conceptual underpinnings characteristic of Baldessari’s work. It stands as a testament to his legacy in blurring boundaries between different art genres while engaging critically with the process of meaning-making.