This work is one of seven largely abstract paintings from Morris Louis’s “Charred Journal” series, created as a response to the book burnings carried out by the Nazis during World War II. Louis’s only work to provide insight into his moral and political concerns, it is also unique in reflecting his Jewish identity. The blackened background is reminiscent of burnt paper, from which rise white letters, numbers, agitated swirls, a large abstracted figure, delineated in brown and yellow, and a Star of David. The artist described his white letters and symbols as rising like ashes from the charred page; they may also be seen as metaphors for resistance and survival. The series can be further interpreted as a statement against censorship. The orientation of this painting has been debated, as Louis was flexible on this aspect of his work. At one time, it was displayed at the Jewish Museum upside down and referred to as “Untitled (Jewish Star).” During preparations for the opening of our collection exhibition “Scenes from the Collection” in 2018, arrows on the back were determined to have been made by the artist to indicate the orientation in which it is now shown. When it is hung this way, a figure emerges. The painting is now identified as “Man Reaching for a Star.” 🎨: #MorrisLouis, “Man Reaching for a Star,” 1952, Acrylic resin (Magna) on canvas. #JewishMuseumCollection