Abu Hureya #12

In 1959, Frank Stella was included in the AMAM’s seminal exhibition series Three Young Americans; the museum first began to acquire his work in 1967. In recognition of this long relationship, the artist donated this exuberant print in honor of the museum’s centennial.

While the painting is named for an ancient city in what is today Iran, this print is named for an ancient settlement in what is modern-day Syria, a site particularly significant in terms of archaeological research on the transition from foraging to farming. The site was excavated in 1972 and 1973, but was subsequently flooded by Lake Assad.