The Bowl
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
In this vivid Depression-era painting of one of the wild “bowl” rides at Coney Island, friends and strangers alike are thrown into contact by the overpowering centrifugal force. Reginald Marsh described the chaotic tangle of female bodies with the sensual physicality for which his work was best known.
From the mid-nineteenth century, Coney Island’s amusements offered New Yorkers the freedom to spend their hard-won moments of leisure in an atmosphere of unfettered frivolity.
Caption
Reginald Marsh American, 1898–1954. The Bowl, 1933. Egg tempera on pressed wood panel, 35 7/8 x 59 15/16in. (91.1 x 152.2cm) frame: 45 x 68 7/8 x 3 1/2 in. (114.3 x 174.9 x 8.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of William T. Evans, by exchange, 42.404. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 42.404_SL1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
The Bowl
Date
1933
Medium
Egg tempera on pressed wood panel
Classification
Dimensions
35 7/8 x 59 15/16in. (91.1 x 152.2cm) frame: 45 x 68 7/8 x 3 1/2 in. (114.3 x 174.9 x 8.9 cm)
Signatures
Signed lower right: "Reginald Marsh"
Credit Line
Gift of William T. Evans, by exchange
Accession Number
42.404
Rights
© artist or artist's estate
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Frequent Art Questions
Is the Reginald Marsh painting "The Bowl" a close-up of another one of his paintings?
"The Bowl" shows a group of people on a ride called the Human Roulette Wheel at Coney Island. Another of his paintings, called "Human Pool Tables," that shows a similar ride or amusement at Coney. It belongs to the Art Students League.Yes, "Human Pool Tables"! That's the one!Great! You may have seen it in the Coney Island exhibition that was here at the Museum about a year and a half ago.How did they not lose their purses or hats on this ride?I wonder that myself! I imagine that they did lose them and then gathered them up when it was over!This makes me think that the women were supposed to have a "liberating" experience, but why do they look so vapid? The one in the middle looks dead. Or is this a commentary on the "male gaze"? Were women are always supposed to look sultry?
That's an interesting interpretation. I think Reginald Marsh may have simply been practicing the same "male gaze" you speak of. The "liberating experience" was a factor, though. Coney Island was where people went to let all their cares fade away for a day.Ah! 1930s, Great Depression, women's rights movement in full swing! I'm seeing connections.When did Coney Island become popular?We're all about connections here!Coney Island first became a beach destination around 1861 and amusements became a part of the scene around 1895. Popularity really boomed in 1930 with the Depression. Most amusements cost only a nickel and subway service was extended to Coney Island at the time. Affordable escapism was necessary and popular during those years!
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