Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Haruspex

William Harper, Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Haruspex, 1990, gold, sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, pearl, coral, shell, carapace, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1991.137, © 1990, William Harper
William Harper, Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Haruspex, 1990, gold, sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, pearl, coral, shell, carapace, 11 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄4 in. (29.2 x 6.4 x 5.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1991.137, © 1990, William Harper

Artwork Details

Title
Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Haruspex
Artist
Date
1990
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
11 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄4 in. (29.2 x 6.4 x 5.8 cm.)
Copyright
© 1990, William Harper
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program
Mediums
Mediums Description
gold, sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, pearl, coral, shell, carapace
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Occupation — art — artist
  • Occupation — religion — clergy
  • Portrait male — Harper, William — full length
  • Portrait male — Harper, William — self-portrait
Object Number
1991.137
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1991.137

Artwork Description

A haruspex was a diviner or soothsayer in ancient Rome who "read" the future from the entrails of sacrificial animals. In Self-Portrait the shape of the inlaid coral spills out like entrails, while the features of the cloisonne face symbolize the artist's condition. The blackened left eye represents William Harper's blindness, and the protrusion from the forehead (the "carapace," or protective covering) is a metaphorical shield from his painful migraines. This is one of a series of self-portraits showing Harper as a mystic from different cultures.

Works by this artist (3 items)

William Harper, Nine Tantric Amulets for Jasper Johns, 1994, gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver with 24k, 22k, 18k, and 14k gold, pearls, garnet, tourmaline, and peridot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Frances and Sydney Lewis, 2002.11, © 1994, William Harper
Nine Tantric Amulets for Jasper Johns
Artist
Date1994
gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver with 24k, 22k, 18k, and 14k gold, pearls, garnet, tourmaline, and peridot
Not on view
William Harper, Amuletic Beads #3, 1976, gold and silver cloisonné enamel on fine silver and fine gold with 14k gold, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Matthew M. Cohen, 1986.55, © 1987, William Harper
Amuletic Beads #3
Artist
Date1976
gold and silver cloisonné enamel on fine silver and fine gold with 14k gold
Not on view
William Harper, Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Haruspex, 1990, gold, sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, pearl, coral, shell, carapace, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1991.137, © 1990, William Harper
Self-Portrait of the Artist as a Haruspex
Artist
Date1990
gold, sterling silver, cloisonné enamel, opal, pearl, coral, shell, carapace
Not on view