On Kawara Date Painting Value Guide

This 1965 On Kawara Date Painting is a seminal precursor to the artist's formal 'Today' series, representing a pivotal moment in the evolution of conceptual art. It serves as a meditative, concrete record of existence, where the precise white typography of 'JAN. 13, 1965' transforms a minimalist black canvas into a profound documentation of universal time.

What Is On Kawara Date Painting Worth?

The typical price range for On Kawara Date Painting is $1,000,000 - $1,200,000 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The 1965 creation date is highly significant as it predates the official 1966 launch of the 'Today' series, increasing its rarity.
• The physical condition of the black acrylic surface, which is prone to showing scuffs or imperfections that can decrease value.
• Provenance and inclusion in major conceptual art exhibitions or catalogs raisonné.
• The presence of the original newspaper clipping and handmade cardboard box significantly enhances the market price.

How to Identify On Kawara Date Painting?

• Verify the precise white hand-painted typography against the deep black monochrome acrylic background.
• Check for the specific date format 'JAN. 13, 1965' which reflects Kawara's emerging documentation style prior to his 1966 New York period.
• Examine the canvas for the artist's signature meticulous finish, where the date is the sole subject of the composition.
• Confirm the presence of a custom-made storage box, often lined with a clipping from a local newspaper from the date of the painting's creation.

History of On Kawara Date Painting

This painting is a quintessential example of conceptual art created in the style of On Kawara's renowned 'Today' series. Although the series is generally considered to have formally begun in 1966 after he moved to New York, this earlier 1965 date painting showcases the artist's emerging focus on time, existence, and documentation. Kawara's practice involved meticulously painting the date of the day on which he created the work, a highly meditative process where the date itself becomes the subject, transforming the canvas into a concrete record of a specific moment in universal time.