Student Artwork Guide

Name Class Date

Jacob Kainen, Midnight (1965). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist: Jacob Kainen topimpressionists.com/en/artists/jacob-kainen/
Artist’s dates: 1909 – 2002
Painted: 1965
Original size: 40 x 56 cm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Jacob Kainen died in 2002; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2072. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Midnight — Jacob Kainen

How big is it?

The original measures 40 × 56 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

first works
main years
late works

1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000

0
110
1120
2130
3140
4150
5160
6170
7180
8190
9193

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 93 at death.

Painted when the artist was 56. The artist lived to 93. 51 of the 120 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Jacob Kainen (1909–2002) ▲ this work, 1965 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1949 Main working years: 1949–1974 Late works: from 1974

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

The Enforcer, 1972 topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-the-enforcer-AQRKTR-en/
The Rose Cocoon, 1970 topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-the-rose-cocoon-AQZG32-en/
Flightmaster, 1972 topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-flightmaster-AQRKXT-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Phthalo Green #1d1613

Catalogued palette

#1D1613
#DCD0C1
#5F5349
#A39689

These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

Palette: Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Phthalo Green
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Where in the world is this painting looked at?

under 1%
1–3%
3–8%
8–20%
20% and over

This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Jacob Kainen over the last twelve months — 2 countries in all. Where these figures come from

The ten leading countries

1 China 69.8%
2 United States of America 30.2%

Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

The 20 most looked-at works by Jacob Kainen

1 Woman with Dark Hair, 1959 25.0%
2 Color Guard, 1973 6.2%
3 (Russian Suite) Pushkin, 1973 6.2%
4 Midnight, 1965 this painting 4.2%
5 Forest Bird, 1950 4.2%
6 Back, 1966 4.2%
7 Cosmo Queen, 1972 4.2%
8 Cafeteria, 1936 2.1%
9 Luminary, 1976 2.1%
10 Pastorale, 1935 2.1%
11 The Rose Cocoon, 1970 2.1%
12 Composition, 1986 2.1%
13 Early Evening, 1938 2.1%
14 Stranger at the Gate, 1958 2.1%
15 Huckster, 1942 2.1%
16 Going Home, 1937 2.1%
17 Residential Facades, 1949 2.1%
18 Hot Spots, 1973 2.1%
19 Sanctum, 1980 2.1%
20 The Bright Reward, 1950 2.1%

Together these works take 81.5% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 123 works by this artist, of which 29 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 4 of them, with 4.2% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

Midnight — Jacob Kainen

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is home to a diverse collection of artworks, including the intriguing woodcut on paper titled Midnight by Jacob Kainen. Created in 1965, this piece showcases the artist's unique style, which blends elements of surrealism and social realism. As a professional expert in Art and salesman at https://AllPaintingsStore.com, I am excited to delve into the world of Jacob Kainen and explore the significance of Midnight.

Artist Background

Jacob Kainen was an American artist born in 1909 in Waterbury, Connecticut. His artistic career spanned over seven decades, during which he experimented with various mediums, including woodcuts, silk screens, and paintings. Kainen's style evolved significantly over the years, from the social realism of the 1930s to more abstract portraits in the 1950s and later.

The Painting "Midnight"

Midnight is a thought-provoking piece that features a person with a hat, looking downward at the viewer. The background of the painting includes a house and an umbrella floating above the subject's head, creating a sense of surrealism. The use of woodcut on paper gives the artwork a unique texture and depth. As seen in other works by Jacob Kainen, such as Tenement Fire and Barber Shop, the artist's attention to detail and ability to convey emotion through his subjects are evident in Midnight.

View more artworks by Jacob Kainen on https://AllPaintingsStore.com, including Midnight

Learn more about the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its collection on https://AllPaintingsStore.com

Discover other notable artists and their works, such as Paul Manship and his sculpture Fortitude, on https://AllPaintingsStore.com

The significance of "Midnight" lies in its ability to evoke emotions and spark curiosity in the viewer. As a handmade oil painting reproduction, it can be a valuable addition to any art collection. At https://AllPaintingsStore.com, we offer high-quality reproductions of famous artworks, including those by Jacob Kainen.

For more information on Jacob Kainen and his artwork, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com or the Smithsonian American Art Museum website.

Artist

Jacob Kainen

Born in Waterbury, United States of America

Jacob Kainen: A Life in Art and Scholarship

Born: Waterbury, United States of America (1909)

Died: 2002

Jacob Kainen was a multifaceted American artist, renowned as a painter, printmaker, art historian, and collector. His career spanned decades, marked by stylistic evolution, intellectual curiosity, and significant contributions to the art world both through his own creations and his scholarly endeavors.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Family Background: Born to Russian immigrant parents in Waterbury, Connecticut, Kainen’s upbringing fostered a deep appreciation for culture. His father's inventive spirit and his mother's love of music and literature nurtured his artistic inclinations from an early age.

Early Studies: Moving to New York City in 1918 provided access to institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library, fueling his passion for art history. He studied at the Art Students League, where Kimon Nicolaides emphasized freedom and confidence in artistic expression.

Early Rebellions: Despite showing promise at Pratt Institute, Kainen’s independent spirit led to expulsion three weeks before graduation due to disagreements with the institution's conservative curriculum. This event proved pivotal, pushing him towards avant-garde movements.

Evolution of Style and Artistic Influences

Early Influences: Initially drawn to Old Masters, Kainen’s artistic trajectory shifted during the 1930s as he embraced German Expressionism and Social Realism. This period saw him engage with artists like Stuart Davis and Arshile Gorky, who encouraged exploration of the unconscious and copying master works.

WPA Years: His involvement in the WPA’s Graphic Arts Program honed his printmaking skills while allowing him to explore social themes through art.

Abstraction and Beyond: Kainen gradually moved towards abstraction, influenced by figures like Arshile Gorky. However, he never abandoned humanism or historical awareness, seeking to imbue even abstract forms with a sense of experience.

The Loyalty Investigation & Psychological Impact: A period of intense scrutiny by the Civil Services Loyalty Board in the 1940s, stemming from his past political activities, profoundly impacted Kainen's work, leading to vivid and psychologically charged abstractions like "Exorcist" and "Unmoored #2."

Return to Figuration: Following clearance from the loyalty board, Kainen shifted back towards figurative art, rejecting Abstract Expressionism in favor of a return to representational forms.

Curatorial Work and Contributions to the Smithsonian

Smithsonian Curator: From 1942 to 1970, Kainen served as curator of the Division of Graphic Arts at the Smithsonian's U.S. National Museum. He revitalized the collection through exhibitions and acquisitions.

Influence on Washington Color Field Painting: Kainen played a crucial role in fostering connections within the art community, introducing Morris Louis to Kenneth Noland, contributing to the development of the Washington Color School movement.

Post-Smithsonian Career: After retiring from the Smithsonian, Kainen dedicated himself fully to painting and printmaking, returning to pure abstraction and continuing his artistic exploration.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Collector & Philanthropist: Kainen and his wife, Ruth Cole, were avid collectors of German Expressionist art, donating a significant portion of their collection to the National Gallery of Art in 1985.

Scholarship: Kainen’s contributions as an art historian are notable for his books on John Baptist Jackson and the etchings of Canaletto, demonstrating his deep knowledge and passion for art history.

Enduring Artistic Vision: Jacob Kainen's legacy rests on a body of work that reflects his intellectual curiosity, artistic evolution, and unwavering commitment to exploring the human condition through diverse mediums. His influence extends beyond his own creations, encompassing his curatorial contributions and his dedication to fostering artistic dialogue.

Where to read more

The artist Jacob Kainen topimpressionists.com/en/artists/jacob-kainen/
Similar works More works to compare topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Midnight

topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Kainen, Jacob. Midnight. 1965, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/
APA: Kainen, Jacob (1965). Midnight [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/
Chicago: Jacob Kainen. Midnight. 1965. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/
Harvard: Kainen, Jacob (1965) Midnight. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/jacob-kainen-midnight-AQRKYB-en/

Midnight — Jacob Kainen

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at The Enforcer (1972), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Jacob Kainen was about 56 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

Questions & Answers

How does "Midnight" balance light and dark?

The recorded values for "Midnight" by Jacob Kainen are: balanced brightness, gentle luminance luminance.

Can I use augmented reality to see "Midnight" by Jacob Kainen in my room?

"Midnight" by Jacob Kainen can be previewed on your own wall with the artwork's AR Preview page, using augmented reality on a compatible device.

Where can I find statistics about "Midnight" by Jacob Kainen?

A Stats page exists for "Midnight". It charts the monthly visits of the artwork and of the artist's other works, with country and language breakdowns.