The artwork “Monogram” by Robert Rauschenberg, created in 1955, is a notable mixed media installation that vividly embodies the principles of the Neo-Dada art movement. Measuring 42 by 64 by 64 1/2 inches, this piece can be found at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Sweden. The work blends traditional painting with non-traditional materials and objects, breaking away from the confines of established art categories and exemplifying the artist’s innovative approach to art-making.
“Monogram” presents a visual collage on a flat, horizontal canvas, upon which Rauschenberg has affixed a variety of materials, including a stuffed angora goat encircled by a rubber tire. The goat’s face is smeared with paint and the body penetrates the plane of the canvas, creating a stark break from two-dimensional space into the three-dimensional. The canvas itself is layered with printed paper, fabric, paint, and other materials, resulting in a textured and complex surface that invites deeper inspection. The combining of these disparate elements exemplifies Rauschenberg’s interest in the boundary between art and life, challenging the viewer to consider the relationship between fine art and everyday objects.
