Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Robert Smithson

Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Robert Smithson

Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Each: 9 x 12 inches

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Each: 9 x 12 inches

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

pages of a sketchbook

Robert Smithson, Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings (ca. 1970)

Graphite and pen on paper

Each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)

Photograph: Alex Yudzon / Marian Goodman Gallery

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

1969—1970

Untitled portfolio of 17 drawings

Robert Smithson
ca. 1970
Sketchbook: graphite and pen on paper
Seventeen drawings; each: 9 × 12 in. (22.9 × 30.5 cm)
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Drawing was an essential part of Robert Smithson’s artistic practice. This portfolio of drawings is a complete sketchbook from around 1970. They range from schematic drawings to notes, doodles, and resolved drawings of the earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970). This sketchbook offers insight into Smithson’s thinking processes, showing recurring forms as one page gives way to the next. Some pages present ideas for sculptures, others function as instructions, and some are working drawings that help him think through ideas.

The square forms relate to reclamation projects working with riprap—a layer of large, loose, angular stone or concrete rubble placed along shorelines, riverbanks, or steep slopes to prevent erosion, scour, and damage from wave action. A drawing showing six lines stretching into space echoes The Fountain Monument: Bird’s-Eye View, seen in his 1967 work The Monuments of Passaic. The penultimate drawing proposes a sinking jetty in red salt water, and the final drawing a forking jetty that he would develop in 1971 into a proposal for the Florida Keys.

Related Info

1969—1970
a drawing of a spiral jetty along a shore with handwritten notations
Spiral Jetty in Red Salt Water
Robert Smithson
ca. 1970
1969—1970

One of many preliminary drawings for Smithson’s most famous work, Spiral Jetty, this particular sketch calls attention to the striking red hue of Great Salt Lake. The color is a result of salt-tolerant algae and bacteria, a feature that reminded Smithson of the primordial sea. While the drawing appears as a simplified plan for the iconic earthwork, it is not merely a means to an end. Rather, this sketch—along with countless others—exemplifies Smithson’s ongoing meditation on the infinitude of time, change, and spiritual desire as represented by the spiral form.

1969—1970
Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty with Sun (1970)
Spiral Jetty with Sun
Robert Smithson
1970
1969—1970

Spiral Jetty with Sun is both a drawing of Smithson's iconic earthwork Spiral Jetty and an illustration mapping out his intentions for a specific sequence filmed from a helicopter for the film Spiral Jetty. When Smithson first visited the site of the earthwork at Rozel Point

See Also