San Francisco. Californian Dreams, Bundeskunsthalle (Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany), Bonn, Germany, September 13, 2019 - January 12, 2020.

City Limits, City Life, December 13, 2014 - June 14, 2015, Historic Wing, Paul L. Davies Gallery, San José Museum of Art.

Variations on a Theme, May 23, 2009 - February 7, 2010, New Wing, Second Floor, Central Skylight Gallery, San José Museum of Art. (Included in Part II: August 1, 2009-February 7, 2010.)

Dream Games: The Art of Robert Schwartz, September 4, 2004 - January 23, 2005, Historic Wing, Second Floor, Paul L. Davies Gallery, San José Museum of Art.

City Light, City Limits (2015-2016)

In the New Year presents Robert Schwartz’s vision of suspended action that focuses on the absurdity of the event. In a desolate urban landscape populated by rundown buildings and littered grounds, one isolated feature stands out: a gargantuan pile of rubbish spilling out from a second-story window. At the base of the garbage heap stand three nicely dressed individuals who try vainly to plant fresh flowers in the midst of an urban apocalypse. They cling to an absurd dream just as people the world over commit to high-minded resolutions at the start of a new year.


Variations on a Theme (2009-2010)

One isolated structure stands out in In the New Year—a gargantuan pile of rubbish spilling out from a second-story window. At the base of the garbage heap stand three nicely dressed individuals who are hopelessly trying to plant fresh flowers in the midst of an urban apocalypse. They cling to an absurd dream just as people from around the world commit to high-minded resolutions at the start of a new year. In paintings like In the New Year, Schwartz indulges us in the devastation and absurd dreams of others, but he seems to do so with a purpose. Seduced by his delicate renderings and jewel-toned palette, we are invited to participate in a seemingly amicable episode: but as the drama unfolds, we are soon confronted with shadows of ourselves, clinging to the same hopes, dreams, and desires as Schwartz’s emblematic characters.


Dream Games: The Art of Robert Schwartz (2004-2005)

Many of Robert Schwartz’s paintings show people engaged in absurdly difficult, seemingly pointless activities, which the artist observes with a mixture of humor and compassion. Amidst this hopeless blight of urban devastation, a trio of figures dressed in their Sunday best is busily planting geraniums. The old homily, “Hope springs eternal,” comes to mind, and we cannot help but smile with recognition, for we are all guilty of holding onto implausible hopes and dreams for the future, especially in the New Year.

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

• Variations on a Theme San Jose Museum of Art , 5/23/2009 - 2/7/2010

• Image Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (19.05 x 21.59 cm)

This object has the following bibliographic references:

• Selections: The San Jose Museum of Art Permanent Collection. Selections: The San Jose Museum of Art Permanent Collection San Jose Museum of Art. San Jose, CA, 2004
  Page Number: 194-195
• Dream Games: The Art of Robert Schwartz. Dream Games: The Art of Robert Schwartz San Jose Museum of Art. San Jose, California, 2004
  Page Number: 78, Figure Number: 53

This object is a member of the following portfolios: