“Standard Station,” created by Edward Ruscha in 1966, is an iconic piece of the Pop Art movement. This artwork, belonging to the landscape genre, vividly captures the essence of a mid-20th century American gas station.
The artwork prominently showcases a gas station under a large, red canopy displaying the word “STANDARD.” The station is characterized by the sharp angles and clean, geometric lines typical of Ruscha’s style. The gas pumps are positioned meticulously, and their bright red color stands in stark contrast to the gradually transitioning sky, which moves from a warm orange to a cool blue, suggesting either dawn or dusk. The overall composition exudes a sense of modernity and the commercial landscape of mid-century America, reflecting the artist’s keen interest in everyday objects and their place in the visual culture of the time.
