Wake

Malcah Zeldis, Wake, 1974, oil on panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of David L. Davies, 1992.37.11
Malcah Zeldis, Wake, 1974, oil on panel, 23 1⁄2 x 31 7⁄8 in. (59.7 x 81.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of David L. Davies, 1992.37.11

Artwork Details

Title
Wake
Artist
Date
1974
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
23 1⁄2 x 31 7⁄8 in. (59.7 x 81.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of David L. Davies
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on panel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture Interior — domestic — living room
  • Ceremony — funeral
  • State of being — death
  • Figure group
Object Number
1992.37.11
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1992.37.11

Artwork Description

Malcah Zeldis enjoyed painting as a young adult but only began painting seriously when she was middle-aged. Her paintings often fuse her childhood memories and recent events. This combination leads to dream-like imagery than can be hard to situate in a certain time frame. Zeldis believes that painting helps her sort out feelings about life. In Wake she explores death with bright colors and specific details. As a child, Zeldis went to a museum and was fascinated by the detailed work of Flemish painters. That fascination stayed with her, and her work reflects a careful study of details, such as the profusion of flowers in this painting, the room's reflection in the mirror, and the subtle details of each person’s clothing.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Rico Gatson, History Lessons, 2004, four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.2, © 2004, Aunrico Gatson
History Lessons
Artist
Date2004
four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, Jungle, Jungle, 2001, single-channel video, color, sound; 02:40 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.3, © 2001, Aunrico Gatson
Jungle, Jungle
Artist
Date2001
single-channel video, color, sound; 02:40 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, Gun Play, 2001, single-channel video, color, sound; 02:35 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.1, © 2001, Aunrico Gatson
Gun Play
Artist
Date2001
single-channel video, color, sound; 02:35 minutes
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Cat Mazza, Knit for Defense, 2011-2012, single-channel digital video, black and white, surround sound; 9:10 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2012.28, © 2012, Cat Mazza
Knit for Defense
Artist
Date2011-2012
single-channel digital video, black and white, surround sound; 9:10 minutes
Not on view
Kota Ezawa, LYAM 3D, 2008, digital animation, color, silent; 04:00 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible through Deaccession Funds, 2010.23, © 2008, Kota Ezawa
LYAM 3D
Artist
Date2008
digital animation, color, silent; 04:00 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, History Lessons, 2004, four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.2, © 2004, Aunrico Gatson
History Lessons
Artist
Date2004
four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes
Not on view
Image Not Available
The Passage
Artist
Date2009
single-channel video, color, sound; 19:00 minutes
Not on view