Man and Woman

William Dawson, Man and Woman, 1982, painted and carved wood, A (woman): 17 ¹⁄₂ x 5 ⁵⁄₈ x 3 in. (44.5 x 14.3 x 7.6 cm.) B (man): 18 ³⁄₈ x 6 ³⁄₄ x 3 in. (46.7 x 17.1 x 7.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.56A-B

Artwork Details

Title: Man and Woman
Artist: William Dawson
Date: 1982
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
/
Luce Foundation Center
/
3rd Floor
/
27A
Dimensions: A (woman): 17 ¹⁄₂ x 5 ⁵⁄₈ x 3 in. (44.5 x 14.3 x 7.6 cm.) B (man): 18 ³⁄₈ x 6 ³⁄₄ x 3 in. (46.7 x 17.1 x 7.6 cm.)
Credit Line: Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums: paint
wood
Mediums Description: painted and carved wood
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Figure female — full length
Figure group
Figure male — full length
Object Number: 1997.124.56A-B
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.56A-B

Artwork Description

These figures were made as a couple, intended to be displayed together. Their clothing is the only thing that distinguishes the male from female, as their features and shapes are very similar. William Dawson emphasized the eyes and teeth of his figures by exaggerating their size and painting them a bright white.