The Confidence Man
Guy Pène du Bois
American Art
Body Language
The bold, open pose of the woman in Evening indicates that she is actively encouraging her partner’s attention. In contrast, the confidence man, or con man, in the adjacent painting stands aggressively near his female companion. His almost threatening stance and her downcast face suggest that he is not to be trusted.
Despite the physical closeness of these two sets of figures, their faces are inscrutable and the nature of their interactions remains ambiguous. Guy Pène du Bois frequently painted stiff figures with masklike faces, suggesting social alienation beneath the glitter and gloss of the party scene.
The bold, open pose of the woman in Evening indicates that she is actively encouraging her partner’s attention. In contrast, the confidence man, or con man, in the adjacent painting stands aggressively near his female companion. His almost threatening stance and her downcast face suggest that he is not to be trusted.
Despite the physical closeness of these two sets of figures, their faces are inscrutable and the nature of their interactions remains ambiguous. Guy Pène du Bois frequently painted stiff figures with masklike faces, suggesting social alienation beneath the glitter and gloss of the party scene.
MEDIUM
Oil on plywood panel
DATES
1919
DIMENSIONS
20 x 15 in. (50.8 x 38.1 cm)
Frame: 28 x 22 1/2 x 2 in. (71.1 x 57.2 x 5.1 cm) (show scale)
SIGNATURE
signed lower right: "Guy Pene duBois / 19"
INSCRIPTIONS
verso inscriptions, in pencil: "$500.00"; "The Confidence Man / by Guy Pene ..."; in crayon: "Bx - 49 - 1"
Gummed label: "28151"
Gummed label: "From the / Chester Dall Collection / 20 East 79th Street. / New York, N.Y."
COLLECTIONS
American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
63.148.3
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Chester Dale
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Guy Pène du Bois (American, 1884–1958). The Confidence Man, 1919. Oil on plywood panel, 20 x 15 in. (50.8 x 38.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Chester Dale, 63.148.3 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 63.148.3_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 63.148.3_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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