Robert Rauschenberg

A survey of Robert Rauschenberg’s innovative use of cloth in the 1970s and its significance in the artist’s oeuvre

Centering on a period of Robert Rauschenberg’s career that has not received much attention, this book focuses on three series by the artist that feature fabric: the idiosyncratic Venetians, 1972–73; the gauzy Hoarfrosts, 1974–76; and the large, simple Jammers, 1975–76. Fascinated by the expressive potential of textiles, including silks, gauze, cheesecloth, and drop cloths, Rauschenberg experimented with the ability of woven materials to capture color and light, hold printed images, and move in the air.

Essays contextualize Rauschenberg’s work with cloth in the history of 1970s late modernism and Postminimalism, as well as his career-long interest in the intersection of art and the body through his work in scenography and costumes for dance. Michelle White provides an in-depth overview of the three series and related works, while Branden Joseph explores how they connect with the era’s cultural and economic precarity. Nick Mauss examines how the artist used fabric to create a sense of intimacy and revisit past practices, relationships, and dynamics of collaboration. And Joseph N. Newland discusses Rauschenberg’s costumes and scenic designs for the dance companies of Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown.

Distributed for the Menil Collection

Exhibition Schedule:

The Menil Collection, Houston, TX

(September 19, 2025–March 1, 2026)

Author Biography

Michelle White is senior curator at The Menil Collection. Branden W. Joseph is Frank Gallipoli Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at Columbia University. Nick Mauss is an artist and writer. Joseph N. Newland is director of publishing at The Menil Collection.