Alma Thomas, Mars Dust, 1972

Narrator: Alma Thomas called this painting Mars Dust. Can you imagine why? Maybe you’ve heard that Mars is sometimes called the Red Planet. Under the right conditions, you can even see its color without a telescope! When Thomas made this painting in 1972, it had just recently become possible to take photos of Mars up close. Some of the pictures showed windstorms of red dust swirling over the surface of the planet. Thomas found these images fascinating. Does knowing that change how you see the painting? Notice the way the red marks seem to hover over the background, and the different shades of blue that she has used here. Do you see motion in the composition? And if you do, how would you describe it? If you came here with someone today, tell them what you think!