Herma

Man Ray, Herma, 1975, bronze on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.5
Copied 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
  • Figure female — nude
  • Abstract
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.