Artist
Morgan Russell (American, 1886–1953)American, 1886–1953
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Synchromy
Datec. 1914
PlaceUnited States
MediumOil on composition board
DimensionsPanel: 13 × 13 3/4 in. (33 × 34.9 cm)
Frame: 14 7/8 × 15 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. (37.8 × 39.4 × 4.4 cm)
Frame: 14 7/8 × 15 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. (37.8 × 39.4 × 4.4 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number78.149
Non exposé
Explore Further
Department
American ArtObject Type
Morgan Russell met fellow American Stanton
Macdonald-Wright. By 1912 the two had
embraced aspects of Cubism as they sought
to infuse their abstractions with additional
resonance through color. They coined the
term “Synchromy” (literally “with color”) to
describe their work, an early and uniquely
American contribution to the rise of radical
Modernism. Russell’s Synchromy is among his
most purely abstract works, with prismatic
tonal rhythms animating the composition.
ProvenanceBenjamin Franklin Garber, the Kennedy-Garber Galleries, New York
Exhibition History"Direction and Diversity: Twentieth Century Art in the Museum Collection," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, May 21–September 3, 1988.
"Morgan Russell: A Retrospective," Montclair Art Museum, New Jersey, April 22–June 17, 1990; The Terra Museum, Chicago, July 7–September 3, 1990; The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, September 15–November 4, 1990.
"American Made: 250 Years of American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, July 7, 2012–January 2, 2013.
"Once Upon a Time in America," Wallraf-Richartz Museum and Foundation Corboud, Cologne, Germany, November 23, 2018–March 24, 2019.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Signed in red paint upper right corner verso:"M.R."
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
David Rabinowitch
no date
Pear wood and composition board
96.52.5.2
Terry Winters
no date
Lead and pencil on composition board and plywood
96.58.10.A,.B
Terry Winters
no date
Lead and pencil on composition board and plywood
96.58.9.A,.B
Sherrie Levine
1989
Mahogany-veneered plywood and composition board with diagram for assembly
96.50.A-.M
Eduardo Ramírez Villamizar
1956
Oil on paper mounted on board
2022.151