Wounded Civil War Soldier 1961

Larry Rivers made "Wounded Civil War Soldier" as a print in 1961, and it's all about the process. You can see how the colors—red, blue, and black—are laid down, almost like he's thinking out loud with each layer. The texture is crucial here; it's not just a flat image. Look at the blue area near the bottom. See how it bleeds and pools? That kind of mark feels accidental, but it brings such life to the piece. And then there are those scribbled lines and patches of red, almost like blood. Rivers lets you see his thinking, his hesitations, and his energy. It reminds me of Cy Twombly’s looser, historical works. This print isn't trying to give you answers; it's asking questions about history and how we remember it. It’s comfortable with ambiguity.