Robert Goodnough

Acquired by the present owner directly from the artist

This work is in very good condition overall; there is scattered surface soiling and staining; there is a half inch tear to the canvas at the upper left corner; the canvas is buckling at the upper left and upper right corners. Unframed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In June 1950, Robert Goodnough and Rudy Burckhardt drove out from Manhattan to Springs, at the east end of Long Island.  Young artists at the beginnings of their careers; Goodnough made ends meet by writing articles for Artnews and Burckhardt got by as a photographer.  They were off on an assignment to write a story, part of a series dreamed up by the editor of Artnews, Thomas B. Hess, each titled '[An artist] Paints a Picture'.  The magazine had already done Ben Shahn Paints a Picture and Hans Hofmann Paints a Picture; now it was time for Jackson Pollock Paints a Picture.

The business went well.  Pollock couldn't work with others around, so Burckhardt snapped shots of Pollock pretending to paint, or drip, or fling, or stir up a can of paint, or contemplate his work.  Goodnough had very little to do but he did observe that Pollock's acting was quite convincing.
When they were done it was getting late and Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife, invited the young painters to stay for the night.  Pollock had no social skills and sat through the evening in a cloud of awkward, brooding silence; Goodnough was no better.  Lee and Rudy on the other hand were quite social and enjoyed the evening in pleasant, stimulating conversation.
Goodnough later commemorated that visit in the present work: the title Krasner – Burckhardt + 2 refers to the evening which consisted, functionally, of Lee Krasner and Rudy Burckhardt plus two other persons, Goodnough and Pollock.