Artwork Description

Title: Citrouille (II)
Artist: Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929)
Date: 2000
Medium: Print on paper
Dimensions: 18.5 x 16.1 in (47 x 41 cm)

Artwork Identification
Citrouille (II) is a captivating print by Yayoi Kusama, an iconic figure in contemporary art renowned for her immersive polka dot patterns and psychologically charged compositions. Presented in a fine frame, this print features Kusama’s beloved squash or pumpkin form—an organic shape saturated with rhythmic, circular motifs. The choice of a monochromatic silver and black palette lends the work a striking, metallic serenity, reinforcing Kusama’s ongoing dialogue with themes of reflection, repetition, and the sublime in the everyday.

Artistic Style and Influences
Kusama’s Citrouille (II) exemplifies her signature aesthetic: biomorphic form coupled with obsessive surface pattern. The squash, like her pumpkins, functions not only as a physical subject but also as a vessel of self-portraiture, emotional resonance, and spiritual stability. Her meticulous use of dots flattens spatial depth while simultaneously suggesting infinity—a conceptual hallmark of her practice since the 1950s. This work aligns with elements of Pop Art and Op Art but is also deeply rooted in Kusama’s personal experiences with hallucinations and self-obliteration, as well as her reverence for nature’s forms.

Historical Context
Yayoi Kusama rose to prominence in the 1960s New York avant-garde, contributing to—and often anticipating—the major artistic movements of the time. She returned to Japan in the 1970s, continuing her work while voluntarily living in a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo. During the 1980s and 90s, her practice evolved to include iconic pumpkins and squash forms, symbols of both personal memory and philosophical inquiry. Citrouille (II), produced during her mature period of global acclaim in the 2000s, reflects the distillation of her central themes—mental space, mirrored reflection, and the infinite pattern of the universe.

Provenance and Authenticity
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The print is in excellent condition. The image surface is clear and well-preserved, with no evidence of discoloration, foxing, or handling wear. The paper is flat and stable within the frame, and the color remains vibrant with strong contrast. The frame itself shows only minor wear along the edges and protects the print with clear glazing. There are no visible signs of restoration or damage.

Artistic Significance
Citrouille (II) is an elegant and resonant example of Yayoi Kusama’s mature graphic work. Through minimal color and maximal pattern, the piece reflects her lifelong exploration of psychological terrain and visual infinity. The squash motif, often overshadowed by her pumpkins, speaks just as powerfully to the artist’s themes of self-containment, growth, and cosmic unity. As demand for Kusama’s work continues to rise globally, this print offers collectors an intimate yet iconic expression of one of the most singular voices in postwar and contemporary art.