Eve Knighting Daguerre
Artist/Maker
Joel Peter Witkin
(American, b. 1939)
Publisher
Brewster
CultureAmerican
Date2004
MediumPlatinum print
DimensionsOverall, Image: 11 × 12 1/4 in. (27.9 × 31.1 cm)
Overall, Support: 16 1/16 × 20 1/8 in. (40.8 × 51.1 cm)
Overall, Mat: 28 1/8 × 24 1/8 in. (71.4 × 61.3 cm)
Overall, Support: 16 1/16 × 20 1/8 in. (40.8 × 51.1 cm)
Overall, Mat: 28 1/8 × 24 1/8 in. (71.4 × 61.3 cm)
InscribedThe platinum print is an oval image, and is signed below "Witkin". This book/print is issued in an edition of 85 deluxe copies and 10 artist's proofs. This is number 49.;
Credit LineMuseum purchase, in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank and The Jean Outland Chrysler Library
Object number2004.11.1
Not on view
DescriptionThis is a platinum print, and came as part of a book, _Songs of Innocence and Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul_ with poetry by William Blake, photography by Joel-Peter Witkin, and an introduction by John Wood. The print is a freestanding oval image on all cotton paper. It depicts a nude woman, Eve, standing over a man, self-portrait of Witkin as Louis Jacque Mande Daguerre, laying on a raised surface in frontal nudity. Eve is turned from the viewer to the left, possibly consulting a book on a stand, using a black pointer. The background is comprised of various collaged images; the artist has scratched and manipulated the negative to produce a distressed appearance on the print.Label TextJoel-Peter Witkin American (b. 1939) Eve Knighting Daguerre, 2004 Platinum print Museum purchase, in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank and The Jean Outland Chrysler Library 2004.11.1 Joel-Peter Witkin produces challenging work that can be simultaneously beautiful and horrific. His work frequently contains art historical references to themes and individuals. In the case of this image, it is Louis Jacque Mandé Daguerre, the namesake and co-inventor of the first photographic process, the Daguerreotype. Witkin conceives his images by sketching ideas with pencil and paper and constructs a tableau, which he photographs. Using a stylus he might scratch, draw, or otherwise manipulate the original negative and selectively tone the print. This print accompanies the 2004 publication entitled Songs of Innocence and Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul, with poetry by William Blake and photographs by Joel-Peter Witkin, edited and with an introduction by John Wood. The book is available for viewing on request in the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. Edited By: DS Edited Date: 2006 Approved By: DS Approval Date: 01/31/2007ProvenanceChrysler Museum of Art Purchase, in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank and The Jean Outland Chrysler Library, 2004. Exhibition History"Side by Side," Waitzer Community Gallery, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, June 9 - August 6, 2010.Published ReferencesWilliam Blake and Joel-Peter Witkin, _Songs of Innocence and Experience: Shewing the Two Contrary States of the Human Soul_ (Brewster, MA: Leo and Wolfe Photography, Inc., Steven Albahari, 2004), cover.
