Woman Dressing

David Hare, Woman Dressing, 1950, ceramic/cut-out and fired on stone base, 9 342 343 78 in. (24.97.010.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1976.53

Artwork Details

Title
Woman Dressing
Artist
Date
1950
Dimensions
9 342 343 78 in. (24.97.010.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
ceramic/cut-out and fired on stone base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Recreation — leisure — grooming
  • Figure female
Object Number
1976.53

Artwork Description

David Hare was influenced by surrealist imagery, which often portrayed women in a sexual or violent way. In Woman Dressing a distorted female figure has been partially covered by strips of clay. The simple act of dressing has been transformed into something more sinister, as the snakelike forms appear to glide up the woman’s body and over her face. Hare wanted to provoke an emotional response in his audiences, calling upon them to decide what exactly is happening in the sculpture. In this way, the viewer becomes a participant in the scene and “completes” the artwork.

Works by this artist (1 item)

Zedekiah Belknap, Portrait of a Woman, first half of 19th century, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.99
Portrait of a Woman
Datefirst half of 19th century
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Louis M. Eilshemius, Pale Blue Landscape, n.d., oil on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Emil J. Arnold, 1967.56.6
Pale Blue Landscape
Daten.d.
oil on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Louis Paul Dessar, Return to the Fold, n.d., oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of William T. Evans, 1909.7.18
Return to the Fold
Daten.d.
oil on canvas
Not on view
Dawn
Date1892
oil on canvas
Not on view