This preparatory study by Claes Oldenburg is related to the Dallas Museum of Art commission, Stake Hitch [1984.52.a-b]. It represents the artist's final design for part of the sculpture. Oldenburg intended to donate this study and the other in this gift along with the drawings and models generously given to the museum in 1987 [1987.316, 1987.317, 1987.318, 1987.319, 1987.323, 1987.326]; however, they were overlooked at that time. With two significant additions in 1991 [1991.94.a-b], the DMA owns a total of 8 drawings and 6 models related to Stake Hitch that contribute to our understanding of Oldenburg's ideas and working methods as well as his approach to process, material, and space.

Adapted from

Elizabeth Simon, DMA unpublished material, 1991.