“The Final End” is an artwork by Edward Ruscha, created in 1992 and characterized by its association with the Pop Art movement. The piece is figurative and is part of “The End” series by the artist. As of the information provided, the artwork is located at Tate Britain in London, UK.
In the artwork presented, we see two identical rectangular panels positioned side by side, composed in a diptych arrangement. The background of each panel is a monochromatic grey field, providing a neutral, flat plane. There are vertical streaks that resemble falling or dripping paint, giving a sense of motion against the static background. Superimposed onto this backdrop are clusters of what appears to be tall grass or straw in a golden hue, giving the illusion that they are partially obstructing an underlying image or message. These figures are repeated symmetrically on both panels and create a mirrored effect.
The colors used are minimal, emphasizing the contrast between the golden, straw-like elements and the grey background. The style is indicative of Ruscha’s exploration of text and image, although in this case, the ‘text’ element seems to be implied rather than explicit, which is often a characteristic of his other works in “The End” series. This piece may evoke a sense of finality or closure, suggested by its title and visual elements, which could be interpreted as a metaphorical ‘curtain call’ with the strands representing curtains drawn over a scene or narrative that has concluded.
