Temptress

Howard Newman, Temptress, 1978, bronze, 14 x 12 1⁄4 x 14 in. (35.5 x 31.1 x 35.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.54

Artwork Details

Title
Temptress
Artist
Date
1978
Location
Dimensions
14 x 12 1⁄4 x 14 in. (35.5 x 31.1 x 35.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • State of being — evil — temptation
  • Figure female
Object Number
1985.30.54
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.30.54

Artwork Description

Howard Newman often portrayed weapons and armor as extensions of the human body. Temptress is a malignant figure of a woman with a cracked, insectlike exoskeleton. She could be Eve in the Garden of Eden, offering fruit from the forbidden tree. Her grotesque armor and threatening features suggest a warning against the seductiveness of power in a modern, industrial world.

Works by this artist (4 items)

Howard Newman, Temptress, 1978, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.54
Temptress
Artist
Date1978
bronze
On view
Howard Newman, Untitled, 1979, graphite and brown watercolor wash on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.53
Untitled
Artist
Date1979
graphite and brown watercolor wash on paper
Not on view
Howard Newman, Half Woman, Quarter Bird, 1974-1975, bronze/cast, assembled and screwed, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.68, © 1975, Howard Newman
Half Woman, Quarter Bird
Artist
Date1974-1975
bronze/cast, assembled and screwed
Not on view
Howard Newman, Winter, 1978, bronze on integral base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.55
Winter
Artist
Date1978
bronze on integral base
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Pierre Theunis, Namur Hrave les Autrichiens, 1913 (1914?), bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.62
Namur Hrave les Autrichiens
Artist
Date1913 (1914?)
bronze
Not on view
Image Not Available
Tenir
Artist
Date1923
bronze
Not on view
A. Stirling Calder, The Dance of Life Begins Early, 1938, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.24
The Dance of Life Begins Early
Artist
Date1938
bronze
Not on view
Anthony de Francisci, Bernard M. Baruch Distinguished Service Award (obverse), 1952, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate, 1966.110.50
Bernard M. Baruch Distinguished Service Award (obverse)
Artist
Date1952
bronze
Not on view