Daniel Chester French, Narcissa, modeled 1901, cast silver, 12 5⁄8 x 5 1⁄4 x 3 5⁄8 in. (32.2 x 13.4 x 9.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.8.509
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Narcissa
- Artist
- Date
- modeled 1901
- Location
- Dimensions
- 12 5⁄8 x 5 1⁄4 x 3 5⁄8 in. (32.2 x 13.4 x 9.3 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of John Gellatly
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- cast silver
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Object — other — dish
- Object — flower
- Mythology — classical — Narcissus
- Figure female — full length
- Figure female — nude
- Object Number
- 1929.8.509
Artwork Description
Narcissa is one of many female nudes that Daniel Chester French produced during his long career. He based it on the Greek myth of the god Narcissus, who spurned the love of others and was so self-centered that the gods forced him to gaze endlessly at his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to turn away from his image, Narcissus perished, and the gods turned him into the flower that bears his name. In French’s version, the woman holds a bowl of water that mirrors her face while she reaches up to touch the narcissus in her hair.
