Skip to main content

Silver Tanks and Moon

1930
Arthur Garfield Dove (American, 1880–1946)
One of the first abstract painters in America, Arthur Dove—together with his close friend Georgia O’Keeffe—belonged to a group of artists associated with Alfred Stieglitz, a pioneering photographer and ardent supporter of American modernism. Dove’s work, rooted in nineteenth-century romantic idealism, explored the spirituality of nature as a counterweight to the materialistic culture of the industrial age. In this solemn painting silvery industrial tanks soar toward the moon like mysterious totems of a pantheistic faith. Dove would have agreed with his colleague Paul Strand that “spiritual control over the machine” was a principal goal of art.

Object Details

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.