Snake Charmer

Dennis Burlingame, Snake Charmer, 1935, oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.214
Dennis Burlingame, Snake Charmer, 1935, oil on fiberboard, 21 7⁄8 x 11 in. (55.5 x 28.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.214

Artwork Details

Title
Snake Charmer
Artist
Date
1935
Location
Dimensions
21 7⁄8 x 11 in. (55.5 x 28.0 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Olin Dows
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on fiberboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — furniture — chest
  • Figure female — full length
  • Animal — reptile — snake
  • Performing arts — circus — animal tamer
  • State of being — other — obese
Object Number
1983.90.214
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1983.90.214

Artwork Description

Dennis Burlingame created many paintings based on his experiences in the circus. This image shows a snake charmer in the middle of her act, with a box full of snakes by her side. The generous curves of the woman’s figure and the curly pattern in the wallpaper echo the loops in the snake’s body as it winds around her shoulders. The shabby scenery and muted colors suggest the performer and her act might be past their best, and evoke the tawdry, marginal existence of circus folk.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

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William H. Johnson, The Breakdown, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.589
The Breakdown
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Portrait with Sunflowers, ca. 1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1983.95.50
Portrait with Sunflowers
Artist
Dateca. 1944
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Little Sweet, 1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1076
Little Sweet
Artist
Date1944
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Going to Church, ca. 1940-1941, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1003
Going to Church
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on burlap
On view

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Ambulance on the Go
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on linen adhered to paper
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William H. Johnson, Early to Bed, Early to Rise, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1069
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
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William H. Johnson, Ten Miles to J. Camp, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1071
Ten Miles to J. Camp
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Up with the Sun, ca. 1940-1941, tempera, pen and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1099
Up with the Sun
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
tempera, pen and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view