Double Portrait of the Artist in Time

Helen Lundeberg, Double Portrait of the Artist in Time, 1935, oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1978.51
Helen Lundeberg, Double Portrait of the Artist in Time, 1935, oil on fiberboard, 47 3440 in. (121.3101.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1978.51

Artwork Details

Title
Double Portrait of the Artist in Time
Date
1935
Dimensions
47 3440 in. (121.3101.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on fiberboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture Interior — domestic — house
  • Object — furniture — clock
  • Allegory — time
  • Object — flower
  • Allegory — life
  • Occupation — art — painter
  • Portrait female — Lundeberg, Helen — full length
  • Occupation — art — printmaker
  • Portrait female — Lundeberg, Helen — child
  • Portrait female — Lundeberg, Helen — self-portrait
Object Number
1978.51

Artwork Description

In Double Portrait, Helen Lundeberg incorporated different figures and objects to symbolize the stages of her life. The time on the clock represents the child’s age of two and a quarter, and the blank paper suggests her unknown future. She holds a flower bud to emphasize her undeveloped state, whereas the adult figure holds a blooming flower to show that she has experienced sex and love. Lundeberg connected the young girl to the grown woman with a shadow to suggest that the two parts of her life are “psychologically bridged.” The subdued tones and flat colors create a mysterious world where the shadow hovers like a ghost over the shoulders of both figures.

Works by this artist (5 items)

Helen Lundeberg, Pioneers of the West, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.8.27
Pioneers of the West
Date1934
oil on canvas
On view
Helen Lundeberg, Double Portrait of the Artist in Time, 1935, oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1978.51
Double Portrait of the Artist in Time
Date1935
oil on fiberboard
On view
Helen Lundeberg, Enigma, 1937, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.174
Enigma
Date1937
lithograph
Not on view
Helen Lundeberg, Ruin, 1937, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.175
Ruin
Date1937
lithograph
Not on view

Audio

Stop 177: Double Portrait of the Artist in Time

Double Portrait of the Artist in Time
1861, oil on canvas

HELEN LUNDEBERG
Born: Chicago, Illinois 1908– Died: Los Angeles, California 1999

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