The Ray
Alexander Archipenko
European Art
Alexander Archipenko first conceived this work’s form—an elongated, abstracted figure of a woman—about 1918. He explored the figure numerous times in several variations and media, sometimes calling it “Vase” or “Vase Woman” and other times “Ray,” recognizing the flexibility of perception, as well as the relationship between animate and inanimate forms.
MEDIUM
Bronze with green patina
DATES
1920s
DIMENSIONS
Total height: 74 in., 215 lb. (188 cm, 97.52kg)
Sculpture: 63 x 9 x 6 in., 59 lb. (160 x 22.9 x 15.2 cm, 26.76kg)
base (Base): 11 x 14 x 14 in., 156 lb. (27.9 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm, 70.76kg)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
Proper left side, self base, edition number: "6/6"
SIGNATURE
Signed proper left side, self base: "Archipenko"
ACCESSION NUMBER
2004.37.1a-b
CREDIT LINE
Gift of The Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation
PROVENANCE
1964, inherited from the artist by Frances Archipenko Gray; 1968, purchased from Frances Archipenko Gray by Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver of New York, NY; June 17, 2004, gift of the Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
a=sculpture; b=base.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Alexander Archipenko (Kyiv, present–day Ukraine (former Russian Empire), 1887 – 1964, New York, New York). The Ray, 1920s. Bronze with green patina, Total height: 74 in., 215 lb. (188 cm, 97.52kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation, 2004.37.1a-b. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2004.37.1_front_PS6.jpg)
EDITION
Edition: 6/6
IMAGE
front, 2004.37.1_front_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2011
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
© artist or artist's estate
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