Object Timeline

1962	We acquired this object. Work on this object began.
2016	We photographed this object.
2024	You found it!

Drawing, Exercise in Optical Illusion

This is a Drawing. It was created by Benjamin J. D'Arconte. It is dated 1962 and we acquired it in 1962. Its medium is grey and white opaque watercolors on white paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This object was donated by Cooper Union Art School. It is credited Gift of Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture.

Plate from the book Ars Magna et Umbr (The Great Art of Light and Shadow) from 1671 showing page 49. Black Latin text in two vertical columns runs down the page just slightly left of center, as in a newspaper. In the upper portion the text is split by a diagram showing seven inter-linking arcs forming an umbrella-like shape, with the edge of each arc corresponding to a word and words printed in capitals on each curve. Beneath is a four column table before the continuation of the main text. A number of hand-written notes can be seen in the margins on either side.

Book, Ars magna lucis et umbr (The Great Art of Light and Shadow), 1671
letterpress and engraving on paper.
Smithsonian Libraries, Q155 .K56X 1671.
92.2016.46

A horizontally-rectangular weaving consisting of rectangles in various sizes in shades of brown, grey, green, lilac, yellow, blue, pink, tan, and white. The textile is predominantly earth-toned in color, with the more vibrant lilac, yellow, blue, and pink rectangles seen in smaller strips interspersed throughout the overall pattern. The pattern of rectangles runs mostly horizontal save for a few thin vertical strips that acheive an optical illusion of protruding from the textile; this is done by splitting each strip into three smaller strips, each strip a series of differently-shaded rectangles that appear as two sides and then the top of a protruding pole. There are three thin 'poles' that section the textile evenly, with a fourth pole all the way on the right of the textile comprised of squares instead of rectangles and three times the size of the other poles. Each pole is comprised mainly of non-earth toned rectangles.

Textile, Fourth Dimension, 1986
mercerized cotton double weave.
Richard Landis.
63.2017.16

Its dimensions are

27.5 × 27.6 cm (10 13/16 × 10 7/8 in.)

It is signed

Signed in ink, verso: B. D'Arconte

Cite this object as

Drawing, Exercise in Optical Illusion; Benjamin J. D'Arconte (probably American, active 20th century); USA; grey and white opaque watercolors on white paper; 27.5 × 27.6 cm (10 13/16 × 10 7/8 in.); Gift of Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture; 1962-138-3

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2CvYK/
Accession Number 1962-138-3
Object ID 18441375