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Woman Eating

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  • Duane Hanson, Woman Eating, 1971, polyester resin and fiberglass with oil and acrylic paints and found accessories, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2005.22A-Z

Gallery Label
Duane Hanson is known for superrealistic sculptures that often cause viewers to pause with uncertainty about whether they are looking at a sculpture or a person. Cast in fiberglass and resin from live models, then painted and clothed, Hanson's life-size figures are presented as ordinary individuals engaged in everyday activities. The Museum has replaced the original National Enquirer on the table with a contemporary tabloid, both to spare the original from overexposure to light and to heighten the surprise for visitors that the seated woman is not alive.
Publication Label

Duane Hanson was known for his ultrarealistic sculptures that often cause viewers to pause with uncertainty as to whether they are seeing a sculpture or a person. Cast in fiberglass and resin from live models, then painted and clothed, Hanson's life-size figures are presented as ordinary individuals engaged in mundane activities. The museum has replaced the original National Enquirer on the table with a contemporary tabloid, both to spare the original from overexposure to light and to heighten the surprise for visitors that the seated woman is not alive.

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Commemorative Guide. Nashville, TN: Beckon Books, 2015.

Title
Woman Eating
Artist
Duane Hanson
Date
1971
Location
  1. Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. 3rd Floor
  3. East Wing
Dimensions
overall: 50 x 30 x 55 in. (127.0 x 76.2 x 139.7 cm)
Copyright
Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment

Mediums Description
polyester resin and fiberglass with oil and acrylic paints and found accessories
Classifications
Sculpture
Keywords
  • Dress – accessory – handbag
  • Recreation – leisure – eating and drinking
  • Figure female – full length
  • Object – written matter – newspaper
  • Object – foodstuff – ice cream
  • State of being – other – obese
  • Object – furniture – table
Object Number
2005.22A-Z
Palette
Emoji
Linked Open Data URI

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