TRADEMARK [#2] (1962) by Edward Ruscha

“TRADEMARK [#2]” is an artwork created by Edward Ruscha in 1962, a notable figure within the Pop Art movement. This piece is part of the “Trademark 1961-1963” series and can be categorized as figurative, sketch, and study. As with much Pop Art, this work is likely to interrogate or reflect on consumerism, mass media, and popular culture.

The image features the iconic logo of “20th Century Fox,” a well-known American film studio. The logo is stylized with a strong graphical sense: arts of the lettering are filled with solid orange, while other parts are white with gray shading that creates a three-dimensional effect. It’s juxtaposed against a dynamic background composed of diagonal lines that radiate from the bottom right corner, creating a perspective effect as if the logo is bursting forth or being projected. The background is divided into two distinct sections, one with a dark blue almost covering the entire right side and the other with yellow and blue stripes. Ruscha’s composition and design choices encapsulate the bold and direct visual language characteristic of Pop Art, using a familiar corporate logo to create a striking piece of visual commentary.