Photograph by
Weems, Carrie Mae, American, born 1953
Subject of
Horne, Lena, American, 1917 - 2010
Date
2009-2010
Medium
inkjet print (a): ink on photographic paper;
frame (b): acrylic, wood, wire and metal
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 11 3/4 × 8 3/4 in. (29.8 × 22.2 cm)
H x W x D (Frame): 12 7/8 × 9 7/8 × 1 1/2 in. (32.7 × 25.1 × 3.8 cm)
Description
Black and white inkjet print (a) of Lena Horne in a green frame (b).
The photograph (a) is intentionally out of focus. The figure of Lena Horne is standing in the center of the image facing the camera. Horne has one hand by her hip and the other behind her head. She is wearing a form-fitting black floor length dress with embellishment on the bodice. Her hair is loose falling to her shoulders. There is a stage light above Horne and unidentified objects are visible on either side of her. The original photograph shows Lena Horne in costume for "Two Girls and a Sailor" standing in a studio on a prop three-step staircase. Horne is standing on the second step and there are metalwork railings on either side of the prop stairs. There is second stage light on the back right side behind Horne. Horne is smiling widely with her head tilted upward. Horne's black evening dress has thin straps not visible in the blurred image. The bodice of the dress has black and tan detailing in the center with a line of embellishments spaced down the middle of the skirt.
The photograph is inset in the frame (b). The back borders of the frame are raised and have paper tape around the edges. At the top is a sticker with the TransArt International shipping label. The center portion of the frame has two white adhesive labels, one with information about the artist, Carrie Mae Weems. The other has exhibit details and the address for the Jack Shainman Gallery. Below this tag is information about the frame and the manufacturer. There is a corded metal wire screwed into the frame to hang the photograph.
Portfolio/Series
Slow Fade to Black
Classification
Visual Arts
Photographs and Still Images
Type
portraits
inkjet prints
Topic
Actors
Art
Entertainers
Film
Hollywood (Film)
Photography
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder in honor of Richard and Laura Parsons, Colin and Alma Powell, and Darren Walker
Object number
2017.20.3ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Carrie Mae Weems
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58e422f98-1e8f-4614-b0fa-ca453052e142

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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