Female Angler Fish with Parasitic Male

Tim Jerman, Female Angler Fish with Parasitic Male, 1999, flameworked glass, 5 584 381 58 in. (14.211.24.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 2000.26.2

Artwork Details

Title
Female Angler Fish with Parasitic Male
Artist
Date
1999
Dimensions
5 584 381 58 in. (14.211.24.1 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
flameworked glass
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — fish — angler fish
Object Number
2000.26.2

Artwork Description

This piece illustrates the bizarre bond between the male and female anglerfish. The male attaches himself to the female to tap into her bloodstream for food. After a while, the male’s eyes and gills seal shut, his heart and respiration stop, and he becomes an appendage, living only to fertilize the female’s eggs. Tim Jerman’s vivid caricature accentuates the contrast between the large, dominant female and tiny, dependant male.

Works by this artist (731 items)

Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Juan Gris drawing), late 1960s, collage on masonite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 2002.58.20
Untitled (Juan Gris drawing)
Datelate 1960s
collage on masonite
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Rorschach drawing), n.d., drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.408
Untitled (Rorschach drawing)
Daten.d.
drawing
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (white cockatoo and other birds), 1969-1971, collage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.297
Untitled (white cockatoo and other birds)
Date1969-1971
collage
Not on view

Audio

TIM JERMAN

Born: Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 1957

Female Angler Fish with Parasitic Male

1999, glazed earthenware

 

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