Head of Natalie Clifford Barney

Laura Dreyfus Barney, Head of Natalie Clifford Barney, 1910, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mme. Yvonne Guehennec and Mr. William E. Huntington, 1976.153.18
Copied Laura Dreyfus Barney, Head of Natalie Clifford Barney, 1910, cast and patinated plaster, 20 1498 78 in. (51.523.022.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mme. Yvonne Guehennec and Mr. William E. Huntington, 1976.153.18

Artwork Details

Title
Head of Natalie Clifford Barney
Date
1910
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
20 1498 78 in. (51.523.022.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mme. Yvonne Guehennec and Mr. William E. Huntington
Mediums
Mediums Description
cast and patinated plaster
Classifications
Keywords
  • Portrait female — Barney, Natalie Clifford — head
  • Occupation — art — sculptor
Object Number
1976.153.18

Artwork Description

The older sister of Laura Dreyfus Barney, Natalie Clifford Barney lived in Paris, where she wrote poetry and short essays in French. She also hosted a salon that was a popular meeting place for many noted artists, writers, and musicians. The same year Laura modeled this portrait, she also created a nude statue of Natalie and displayed it on the family’s front lawn, which caused such an uproar that the police were ordered to cover it with a sheet.