Student Artwork Guide — Study for Oz

Name Class Date

Norman Bluhm, Study for Oz (1960). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist: Norman Bluhm allpaintingsstore.com/en/artists/norman-bluhm/
Artist’s dates: 1921 – 1999
Painted: 1960
Original size: 64 x 184 cm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Norman Bluhm died in 1999; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2069. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Study for Oz — Norman Bluhm

How big is it?

The original measures 64 × 184 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990

Shaded: the lifetime of Norman Bluhm (1921–1999) ▲ this work, 1960

Compare with

Untitled 4, 1957 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-untitled-4-AS7ULP-en/
Thetis, 1968 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-thetis-AS7UKX-en/
Issac Comnenus, 1967 allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-issac-comnenus-AS7ULF-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/similar/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Black #0e0e0e

Catalogued palette

#0E0E0E
#CFCFCF
#9C9C9C
#575757

Main colour name: Black
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Artist

Norman Bluhm

Where to read more

The artist Norman Bluhm allpaintingsstore.com/en/artists/norman-bluhm/
Similar works More works to compare allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/similar/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Study for Oz

allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/download/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Bluhm, Norman. Study for Oz. 1960, https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/
APA: Bluhm, Norman (1960). Study for Oz [Painting]. https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/
Chicago: Norman Bluhm. Study for Oz. 1960. https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/
Harvard: Bluhm, Norman (1960) Study for Oz. Available at: https://allpaintingsstore.com/en/art/norman-bluhm-study-for-oz-AS7UKV-en/

Study for Oz — Norman Bluhm

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Untitled 4 (1957), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Norman Bluhm was about 39 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.