Herma

Man Ray, Herma, 1975, bronze on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.5
Man Ray, Herma, 1975, bronze on wood base, 14 1⁄8 x 4 5⁄8 x 3 1⁄8 in. (35.8 x 11.7 x 7.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.5

Artwork Details

Title
Herma
Artist
Date
1975
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 1⁄8 x 4 5⁄8 x 3 1⁄8 in. (35.8 x 11.7 x 7.9 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Juliet Man Ray
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on wood base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
  • Figure female — nude
Object Number
1983.105.5
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1983.105.5

Artwork Description

The distorted figure of Herma was originally carved in 1919 from marble. In Greek mythology, a herma or herm is a primitive fertility statue of the Greek god Hermes. Man Ray emphasized fertility and the female anatomy by exaggerating the woman’s rounded stomach and thighs. The title of this piece and the way the artist chose to carve the figure without complete arms and legs evokes an archaic sculpture that has been ruined by time.

Works by this artist (34 items)

View all artworks
John Hultberg, Sculptor's Garden, 1968, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.46
Sculptor’s Garden
Artist
Date1968
oil on canvas
On view
John Hultberg, Plain with Flag, gouache on board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.51
Plain with Flag
Artist
gouache on board
Not on view
John Hultberg, White Morning Sky, oil on board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.44
White Morning Sky
Artist
oil on board
Not on view
John Hultberg, Orderly Explosion, ink and gouache on board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.39
Orderly Explosion
Artist
ink and gouache on board
Not on view