Browse The Collection


56 Series Pastels 1

56 Series Pastels 1, 1956, Pastel
Reva Urban (American, 1925 – 1987)
#1988.0005.0174

Reva Urban is known for her exploration of gender and sexuality through her "shaped canvas" pieces of the 1960s that were derived from these earlier abstract expressionist studies. Urban strove for commercial success in an industry dominated by men, while also facing off against the hugely popular Pop Art movement. Although her expressionist paintings were rather overlooked in the mainstream history of art, her innovations were influential.