Untitled from the series American Beauties

David Levinthal, Untitled from the series American Beauties, 1990, Polaroid Polacolor ER Land Film, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 2017.32.8, © 1990, David Levinthal
David Levinthal, Untitled from the series American Beauties, 1990, Polaroid Polacolor ER Land Film, 24 × 20 in. (61.0 × 50.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 2017.32.8, © 1990, David Levinthal

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled from the series American Beauties
Artist
Date
1990
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
24 × 20 in. (61.0 × 50.8 cm)
Copyright
© 1990, David Levinthal
Credit Line
Gift of an anonymous donor
Mediums Description
Polaroid Polacolor ER Land Film
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — beach
  • Figure female — full length
  • Allegory — quality — beauty
  • American
Object Number
2017.32.8
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2017.32.8

Artwork Description

The distinct look of the American Beauties series came about after a long day of shooting Western pictures at the 20x24 Polaroid Studio. Levinthal positioned a newly acquired pinup figure on a bed of sand leftover from his cowboy photos and removed the spray-painted Wild
West background. He then photographed the solitary figure with dramatic lighting in a darkened studio. Levinthal loved the simplicity of the result and the sculptural quality of the tiny toys. The images are among the artist's most evocative and enigmatic--nocturnal beach scenes where the world of childhood innocence intersects with the world of adult experience.

Works by this artist (5 items)

View all artworks
Chryssa, White Relief, 1960, gesso over plaster on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.18
White Relief
Artist
Date1960
gesso over plaster on wood
On view
Chryssa, List Poster (NCFA Opening Poster), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1968.103.1
List Poster (NCFA Opening Poster)
Artist
Not on view
Image Not Available
Untitled
Artist
Date1968
color lithograph
Not on view
Image Not Available
Untitled
Artist
Date1968
mechanical reproduction and screenprint
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2017.32.10 - SAAM-2017.32.10_1 - 133751
American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs 
June 7, 2019–October 14, 2019
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Populated with toy cowboys and cavalry, Barbie dolls and baseball players, David Levinthal’s photographs reference iconic images and events that shaped postwar American society.

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Image Not Available
New York Cultural Center
Artist
Date1973
color lithograph
Not on view
Robert Motherwell, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, 1973, color lithograph poster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Telamon Editions Limited, 1976.152.2
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Artist
Date1973
color lithograph poster
Not on view
Romaine Brooks, Untitled (Caught by the Collar), ca. 1930, photomechanical reproduction on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1968.90.14
Untitled (Caught by the Collar)
Artist
Dateca. 1930
photomechanical reproduction on paper
Not on view
Romaine Brooks, Climbing One's Wings, ca. 1930, photomechanical reproduction on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1968.90.27
Climbing One’s Wings
Artist
Dateca. 1930
photomechanical reproduction on paper
Not on view