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 (3 items)

William Trost Richards, Trees along Stream in Fall, 1861, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1970.287
Trees along Stream in Fall
Artist
Date1861
oil on canvas
Not on view
William Trost Richards, Surf, 1870, watercolor on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given in memory of Charles Downing Lay and Laura Gill Lay by their Children, 1968.64.1
Surf
Artist
Date1870
watercolor on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
William Trost Richards, Rocky Cove, 1876, watercolor and gouache on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given in memory of Charles Downing Lay and Laura Gill Lay by their Children, 1968.64.2
Rocky Cove
Artist
Date1876
watercolor and gouache on paper
Not on view

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