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Preparatory Study for Untitled Panels
Preparatory Study for Untitled Panels
Preparatory Study for Untitled Panels

Preparatory Study for Untitled Panels

Object NamePainting
Artist / Maker ((American, b. 1936))
Date1986
MediumAcrylic on Linen
Dimensions22 x 48 in. (55.9 x 121.9 cm)
ClassificationsArt on Campus Preparatory Studies and Maquettes
Credit LineIn the Art on Campus Preparatory Studies and Maquette Collection, Christian Petersen Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object numberU86.445ab
Status
On view
Label TextThese indoor murals are located at the ends of long hallways in the Agronomy Building. As the viewer approaches these works, they appear to be windows overlooking the Iowa landscape. The method that Richard Haas used to achieve this effect is called trompe l'oeil. This is a French term meaning deception of the eye. The term is applied to a painting style that is so photographically realistic that it may trick the viewer into thinking the scene is real instead of painted. The illusion of the Agronomy Murals is created through the artist's incorporation of the images of the surrounding floor tiles, window moldings, and architectural pillars into the paintings. Of course the illusion is also enhanced by the artist's knowledge and use of perspective, natural color, and atmospheric effect. The ground floor mural displays a view of the rolling Iowa landscape on a sunny mid-summer day. The scenery is represented as if the viewer were looking out a ground floor window. The view includes many characteristic elements of the Iowa countryside such as fields of crops, farm buildings, and livestock. Included in the detail of the painting are the peaks of several of Iowa State's buildings. The view seen in the first floor mural conveys quite a different effect from the painting a floor below. The painted scene presents the Iowa countryside from a bird's-eye view. This Iowa landscape shows the farms and fields broken into patterns of different colored patches. One of the most striking features of the painting is the image of the thunderstorm being led across the plains by a swirling tornado or possibly a Cyclone.
Locations
  • (not entered)  Iowa State University, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Loaned Objects Collections Storage
Preparatory Study for Untitled Panels
Object Name: Painting
Richard Haas
1986
Object number: U86.446ab
Upper Mural - Agronomy Building Addition, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Object Name: Preparatory Study
Richard Haas
1985-1986
Object number: U2019.247
Omaha Building, 1977
Object Name: Print
Richard Haas
1977
Object number: um88.23
Untitled I and Untitled II
Object Name: Murals
Richard Haas
1986
Object number: U86.447ab
Tureen,  lid and plate stand
Object Name: Tureen, lid and plate stand
Royal Vienna
19th century
Object number: 2.6.65abc
End of the Road
Object Name: Painting
Louise Minert Kelly
Object number: U99.13
Large cup with lid and saucer
Object Name: Large cup with lid and saucer
Late 19th century
Object number: 2.7.6abc
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Mural
Grant Wood
1934
Object number: U88.91a-i
Pasture
Object Name: Landscape
John Preston
1999
Object number: U99.45
Agronomy Mural
Object Name: Mural
Christian Petersen
1951
Object number: U99.302
Lines
Object Name: Painting
John Preston
1991
Object number: U2006.5
Teapot and Lid
Object Name: Teapot and Lid
Meissen
Late 19th century
Object number: 2.6.59ab