Walter De Maria was an American artist known for his contributions to the fields of minimalism and land art. Born on October 1, 1935, in Albany, California, he gained recognition for his large-scale installations that often incorporated natural elements and emphasized the relationship between art and the environment. One of his most famous works is The Lightning Field, located in New Mexico, which consists of 400 stainless steel poles arranged in a grid. In addition to his land art, De Maria was also a skilled sculptor and painter. He was associated with the New York art scene in the 1960s and collaborated with other prominent artists, including Robert Smithson and Donald Judd. De Maria's work often explored themes of time, space, and perception, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art before his passing on July 25, 2013.