Bear Claws & Bamboo from The Joy of Ornament
Robert Kushner, 1980
About this artwork
**Bear Claws & Bamboo fromThe Joy of Ornament Robert Kushner’s *Bear Claws & Bamboo* (1980) is a captivating print from the portfolio *The Joy of Ornament a suite of 17 etchings aquatints alongside three drypoints on fine wove Arches paper. Measuring a modest plate size of 22.5 x 10.2 cm, this work exemplifies Kushner’s embrace of exuberant decoration during the late 20th. As part of the Pattern and Decoration movement, Kushner challenged the austerity of modernism by reveling in bold patterns, vibrant motifs, and cross-cultural references—here blending rugged bear claws with elegant bamboo stalks for a playful fusion of the wild and the refined. Printed using etching and aquatint techniques, the piece showcases intaglio mastery: etching for crisp lines and aquatint for rich, tonal gradations that mimic watercolor’s fluidity. Arches paper enhances the jewel-like quality, allowing intricate details to shine. Gifted to the National Gallery of Art by Kathan Brown, this portfolio print reflects the era’s printmaking renaissance, where artists like Kushner explored ornament as a joyous rebellion against minimalism. Visitors will delight in how *Bear Claws & Bamboo* invites contemplation of nature’s poetry through artifice, a testament to Kushner’s enduring celebration of beauty in excess. (198 words)