Focus on this artwork and explore the Materials.
Between 1954 and 1965, Rauschenberg created Combine paintings which often involved affixing sculptural elements to more typical painted canvases. Some Combines are wall-mounted while others are free-standing.  In Canyon, elements such as photographic images, fragments of clothing, and newspaper clippings are affixed to the surface either by paint, with string, or by other means. Other examples of such paintings are Reservoir (1961) and Monogram (1955–59).
Canyon features a taxidermied golden eagle, a pillow attached with string, a paint tube, and various textiles. The eagle was given to Rauschenberg by Sari Dienes, which she presumed formerly belonged to her neighbor who was a Rough Rider. Dienes found the golden eagle on the street among her recently deceased neighbor's discarded belongings.
Combine paintings Monogram golden eagle Combine Reservoir Rough Rider Sari Dienes Combine painting