GROUP OF FOUR TREES | Jean Dubuffet
New York City, NY - United States
ACCESS:
FREE: Public Plaza with unrestricted hours
ADDRESS:
28 Liberty St, New York 10005
DISCRIPTION:
Jean Dubuffet's “Group of Four Trees” is a monumental sculpture located in Lower Manhattan, New York City, completed in 1972. Standing 43 feet tall, the work is composed of painted fiberglass and aluminum, featuring Dubuffet’s signature black-and-white palette with bold outlines. Inspired by doodles and childlike art, the abstract tree forms exemplify his “Hourloupe” style, blending fantasy with urban architecture. Commissioned by David Rockefeller for the Chase Manhattan Plaza, the sculpture contrasts starkly with surrounding skyscrapers, challenging conventional aesthetics. It invites viewers to reconsider public art's role, offering a playful yet thought-provoking presence amid the city's rigid geometry.
NOTES:
Isamu Noguchi’s “Red Cube” and “Joie de Vivre” by Mark di Suvero are located only 1 block away. The Financial District is home to many temporary and permanent public works of art. Walk in any direction and you’re bound to find something wonderful.
