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Identification and Creation

Object Number
M26677
People
Martin Puryear, American (Washington D.C. born 1941)
Paulson Fontaine Press
Title
Shoulders
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
2002
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/17864

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Softground etching on chine collé
Technique
Softground etching
Dimensions
plate: 45.3 x 60.6 cm (17 13/16 x 23 7/8 in.)
sheet: 73.3 x 86 cm (28 7/8 x 33 7/8 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Signed: l.l. in graphite pencil: 3/25; l.r. in graphite pencil: M. Puryear 2002
  • chop: lower right corner of sheet
  • inscription: lower margin, graphite pencil, in artist's hand: 3/25 M. Puryear 2002

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
[Paulson Press, Berkeley, California], sold; to Harvard University Art Museums, December 15, 2006.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Edition
3/25

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Margaret Fisher Fund
Copyright
© Martin Puryear, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
Accession Year
2005
Object Number
M26677
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Commentary
Martin Puryear is known primarily for his large-scale wood, wire, and tar sculptures. They usually look fastidiously hand crafted, as do the forms apparent in this softground etching by the artist. The shape of "Shoulders" suggests a yoke or the frame of a bed, but because the form exists against an undefined background, it is impossible to identify the object depicted. Like Puryear's sculpture, it reminds the viewer of something else but doesn't offer the satisfaction of identification, thereby throwing into question the viewer's relationship to the depicted object.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu