Mecca Dracula

Artist Billy Al Bengston (American, born 1934)

Date1968

MediumLithograph

DimensionsUnframed: 21 x 21 1/2 in. (53.3 x 54.6 cm) Framed: 27 3/4 x 27 3/4 in. (70.5 x 70.5 cm)

ClassificationsPrintmaking

Credit LineGift of Anton Segerstrom

Object number2007.8.4

Label TextThis work is part of Billy Al Bengston's Iris series, inspired by the mass-produced Iris Sugar Company sugar packets. Their iris logo can be seen in many of Bengston's works from the 1960s and 70s. When a friend saw this series, they said that the iris petals resembled bat wings flying through a window. This association with Count Dracula stuck and Bengston began to refer to his Iris paintings and resulting prints as "Dracula." His Iris series explores how this central motif can change when surrounded by different colors and patterns.

Status

Not on view

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