Morgan Russell
Synchromy

Public Domain

ExpandFavorite

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)

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number78.149

Not on view

Explore Further

Department

American Art

Object Type

PAINTING

DescriptionWhile studying in Paris with Henri Matisse,
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.