Robert Rauschenberg, "Bait (Stoned Moon)"
Signed in pencil and numbered 30/45. Colour lithograph, 1970. Published by Gemini G.E.L. with their blind stamp. S. 90 x 66 cm.
Not examined out of frame.
In the summer of 1969, Robert Rauschenberg was invited by NASA's Arts Program to attend the historic launch of Apollo 11.
The space agency wanted the artist to commemorate the first mission to the moon. Rauschenberg received unrestricted access to NASA's facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He met numerous astronauts and had access to technical drawings and official space photographs.
The visit, and success of the mission, inspired a new era of optimism for both the artist and American society, after the disillusionment and social unrest of the Vietnam War.
Referencing the first moon landing, Rauschenberg created the Stoned Moon (1969-1970) series of lithographs, using images from NASA, media outlets, and his own photographs.