MCM Modernist Tile Picture of a Bull by Harris G. Strong

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Description

Modernist Strength: Harris G. Strong Tile Picture of a Bull
(1970)

A dramatic and bold Mid-Century Modern ceramic tile picture … Read more Modernist Strength: Harris G. Strong Tile Picture of a Bull
(1970)

A dramatic and bold Mid-Century Modern ceramic tile picture by the renowned American artist Harris G. Strong, dating to 1970.

The composition consists of six rectangular tiles arranged to form a stylized, charging bull. The figure is rendered in a thick, textured black glaze against a white crackle-glaze ground, creating a powerful silhouette. A striking pop of color is provided by a large crimson red circular motif on the bull's flank and a touch of yellow in the eye. The artwork is mounted on an ivory linen matte and housed in a black wooden frame with a silvered border.

Markings: Signature: Signed "Strong" in black on the lower right tile.

Label: The reverse retains an orange factory label reading: STRONG, Harris G Strong Inc, Bar Harbor Road, Ellsworth, ME.

Measurements:
Width: 21 3/4 inches (55.2 cm)
Height: 15 1/2 inches (39.4 cm)
Depth: 2 inches (5.1 cm)

Historical Context:

Harris G. Strong (1920–2006) was a pivotal figure in American ceramic wall art. Originally operating out of the Bronx before moving his studio to Ellsworth, Maine, in the 1960s, Strong produced work that defined the decorative aesthetic of the Mid-Century Modern era. His pieces are prized for their innovative glaze techniques, "cubist" influence, and bold, graphic subjects ranging from medieval characters to powerful animals like this bull.

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