Robert Kobayashi (American, 1925–2015). <em>The Brooklyn Bridge</em>, 1982. Oil on canvas, 18 1/2 x 18 5/8 in. (47 x 47.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Marilynn and Ivan C. Karp, 83.125. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.125_PS1.jpg)

Robert Kobayashi (American, 1925–2015). The Brooklyn Bridge, 1982. Oil on canvas, 18 1/2 x 18 5/8 in. (47 x 47.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Marilynn and Ivan C. Karp, 83.125. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.125_PS1.jpg)

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Do you know more about how this piece by Robert Kobayashi fits into pointillism in general? It's interesting that it's so dark and uses limited colors to depict shadows.

Kobayashi is what would be considered a neo-pointillist. He applies techniques introduced by artists of the late 1800s and early 20th century to more contemporary works.

Could you further describe neo-pointillism?

Neo-pointillism is essentially any pointillism that is being done in a more contemporary setting. Anything newer than and not fitting into the original phase when pointillism was popular, in the late 19th century, basically. It can also be more experimental, as contemporary art sometimes tends to be.

So what is Kobayashi attempting to subvert/emphasize/expand upon by breaking from traditional pointillism?

He isn't doing anything particularly dramatic, mostly experimenting with the form of the canvas (notice how his painting extends to the sides of the canvas) and experimenting with making pointillist work in a more contemporary setting. He is also focused on showing New York of the late 20th century, obviously a subject that wouldn't appear in traditional pointillism.

Do artists usually paint the sides or is it folded on the frame after?

Usually, artist's paint on canvas that has already been stretched over the frame. Some artists paint the sides of the canvas like Kobayashi has done here and some don't.

In the Robert Kobayashi painting, what is the clock in the right corner?

The clock is a bit ambiguous, actually. Some have argued it isn't a clock, but a moon. I'm inclined to think it is a clock tower on the Brooklyn side! The Williamsburg Savings Bank is a clock tower fairly close to the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side.

The Brooklyn Bridge

Robert Kobayashi

Contemporary Art

ARTIST Robert Kobayashi, American, 1925–2015

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

DATES 1982

DIMENSIONS 18 1/2 x 18 5/8 in. (47 x 47.3 cm) frame (plexi covered backing board for Infinite Blue exh.): 22 1/4 × 22 1/4 × 5 1/4 in. (56.5 × 56.5 × 13.3 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Right side panel, bottom: "Kobi" ; signed verso, lower right: "1982 / Kobi"

COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 83.125

CREDIT LINE Gift of Marilynn and Ivan C. Karp

EXHIBITIONS

Infinite Blue

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Robert Kobayashi (American, 1925–2015). The Brooklyn Bridge, 1982. Oil on canvas, 18 1/2 x 18 5/8 in. (47 x 47.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Marilynn and Ivan C. Karp, 83.125. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.125_PS1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 83.125_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006

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