Bull in the Sun Rug

The Bull in the Sun Rug by Arshile Gorky, completed in 1942, is a significant example of the artist's sporadic but impactful foray into design applied arts. Rendered entirely in wool, this functional piece transcends typical textile classification, embodying the modernist spirit that defined the early 1940s. While Gorky is primarily known as a foundational figure in the emergence of Abstract Expressionism, he occasionally applied his distinctive visual language to objects, showcasing a commitment to total design principles favored by the avant-garde.

The rug features highly abstracted, biomorphic forms indicative of Gorky’s deep study of European Surrealism, particularly the work of Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso. This piece utilizes bold color fields and fluid, curvilinear shapes to depict the eponymous bull motif, transforming a recognizable animal into an almost mythological symbol. The handling of the subject matter—abstracted yet weighty—is emblematic of the formal tensions present in Gorky’s American oeuvre during the period of 1942. The textile medium allowed Gorky to explore texture and scale outside the constraints of canvas, translating his draftsman’s sensibility into a tactile, woven environment.

Now classified within American design, this work serves as a crucial link between Gorky’s early figurative studies and the lyrical abstraction that would define his late career. The design demonstrates the experimental nature of Gorky’s output during the war years, when many artists were seeking new forms of expression. The original wool rug resides in the esteemed Museum of Modern Art collection in New York, where it is preserved as a testament to the powerful intersection of fine art and functional design. While the rug itself is a unique artifact, the original structure allows for the creation of high-quality prints that capture the enduring power of the design.