Untitled (Black Sand Box), c. 1950

Mixed Media Collage, glass, wood, sand, metal and paper in wooden box construction - Signed on reverse // Untitled (Black Sand Box) by Joseph Cornell, created around 1950, is a mixed media assemblage that reflects Cornell’s unique approach to sculpture and his fascination with memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. This work, constructed within a shallow wooden box, features a meticulously arranged composition of materials such as sand, glass, metal, and paper. The dominant red background inside the box has a radiating pattern, which seems to emanate from a small metal ring positioned near the bottom edge, adding a sense of depth and contemplation to the piece. The weathered black frame enhances the mysterious and evocative quality of the artwork.Cornell, known for his shadow boxes and use of found objects, often transformed simple materials into poetic and dreamlike assemblages. The abstract simplicity of this piece invites reflection on themes of impermanence and introspection. Signed on the reverse, this piece exemplifies Cornell's ability to create intimate, enigmatic worlds within small, confined spaces, merging the tangible with the imaginary.