Wake

Malcah Zeldis, Wake, 1974, oil on panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of David L. Davies, 1992.37.11
Malcah Zeldis, Wake, 1974, oil on panel, 23 1⁄2 x 31 7⁄8 in. (59.7 x 81.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of David L. Davies, 1992.37.11

Artwork Details

Title
Wake
Artist
Date
1974
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
23 1⁄2 x 31 7⁄8 in. (59.7 x 81.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of David L. Davies
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on panel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture Interior — domestic — living room
  • Ceremony — funeral
  • State of being — death
  • Figure group
Object Number
1992.37.11
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1992.37.11

Artwork Description

Malcah Zeldis enjoyed painting as a young adult but only began painting seriously when she was middle-aged. Her paintings often fuse her childhood memories and recent events. This combination leads to dream-like imagery than can be hard to situate in a certain time frame. Zeldis believes that painting helps her sort out feelings about life. In Wake she explores death with bright colors and specific details. As a child, Zeldis went to a museum and was fascinated by the detailed work of Flemish painters. That fascination stayed with her, and her work reflects a careful study of details, such as the profusion of flowers in this painting, the room's reflection in the mirror, and the subtle details of each person’s clothing.

Works by this artist (47 items)

View all artworks
Camilo José Vergara, 65 East 125th Street, Harlem, 1996, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, 2015.44.12, © 1996, Camilo José Vergara
65 East 125th Street, Harlem
Artist
Date1996
inkjet print
Not on view
Camilo José Vergara, 65 East 125th Street, Harlem, 2009, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, 2015.44.21, © 2009, Camilo José Vergara
65 East 125th Street, Harlem
Artist
Date2009
inkjet print
Not on view
Camilo José Vergara, 65 East 125th Street, Harlem, 2004, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, 2015.44.19, © 2004, Camilo José Vergara
65 East 125th Street, Harlem
Artist
Date2004
inkjet print
Not on view
Camilo José Vergara, 65 East 125th Street, Harlem, 1998, inkjet print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, 2015.44.15, © 1998, Camilo José Vergara
65 East 125th Street, Harlem
Artist
Date1998
inkjet print
Not on view