Black Painting

1949–1952

Meets Cy Twombly at the Art Students League

From 1949 to 1952 Rauschenberg studied at the Art Students League of New York under Vaclav Vytlacil and Morris Kantor and met fellow artists Knox Martin and Cy Twombly there.

summer 1950

Marries the artist Susan Weil

In the summer of 1950 Rauschenberg married Susan Weil at her family's home on Outer Island, Connecticut. Their only child, Christopher, later a photographer, was born on 16 July 1951.

spring 1951

First solo show, at the Betty Parsons Gallery

In the spring of 1951 the Betty Parsons Gallery in New York gave Rauschenberg his first solo exhibition. It found no favour with the critics.

1952

Takes part in John Cage's first Happening

At Black Mountain College Rauschenberg took part in John Cage's “Theatre Piece No. 1” (1952), often considered the first Happening. Cage, a kindred spirit, supported him in his early years, and their friendship and collaboration lasted for decades.

autumn 1952 – spring 1953

Travels in Italy and North Africa with Cy Twombly

From the autumn of 1952 to the spring of 1953 Rauschenberg travelled in Italy and North Africa with his fellow artist and partner Cy Twombly. There he made collages and small sculptures out of found materials, the “Scatole Personali” (Personal Boxes) and “Feticci Personali” (Personal Fetishes).

1954–1961

Lives with the artist Jasper Johns

From 1954 to 1961 Rauschenberg lived with his partner, the artist Jasper Johns. They constantly exchanged ideas and took part in each other's work, but never made objects under joint authorship.