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 (3 items)

Tod Papageorge, Brazilian Festival, New York City, 1978, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Virginia Zabriskie, 1983.110.6, © 1984, Tod Papageorge
Brazilian Festival, New York City
Date1978
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Tod Papageorge, Albuquerque, N.M., 1973, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1066, © 1977, Tod Papageorge
Albuquerque, N.M.
Date1973
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Tod Papageorge, New York City Discothéque, 1979, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Virginia Zabriskie, 1983.110.5, © 1984, Tod Papageorge
New York City Discothéque
Date1979
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
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Date1976
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Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
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Date1977
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Not on view
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