Alien Planets

Artist R. M. Palaniappan (Indian, born 1957)

CultureIndian

Date1985-1989

MediumMixed media on paper

DimensionsFramed: 17 1/4 × 48 1/2 × 1 3/8 inches (43.82 × 123.19 × 3.51 cm)

Credit LineGift of Elisabeth Batchelor

Object number2025.94.1

On View

Not on view

Terms

DescriptionEach of the for prints is a horizontal composition depicting a row of four round planets sillouetted against the blank paper. The planets are rendered in hues ranging from copper and brown, to grey and blue, to tuquoise and green. Blotches and swirls rendered in contrasting colors suggesting varied topographies. Lines drawn overtop suggest the presence of an unknown viewer. Are the marks the result of attempt at mapmaking, or marking something else? The margins between the planets are filled with captions in typeset print and handwritten notation in graphite. The works present themselves as scientific observations, as authentic documents of newly-observed worlds.Provenance

Provenance

With R.M. Palaniappan, 1990s;

With Tony Batchelor, 1990s;

With Elisabeth Batchelor, 2025;

Gifted to NAMA, 2025.

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.