Photograph by
Weems, Carrie Mae, American, born 1953
Subject of
Dandridge, Dorothy, American, 1922 - 1965
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
Color inkjet print (a) of Dorothy Jean Dandridge in a green frame (b).
The photograph (a) is intentionally out of focus. The figure of Dorothy Jean Dandridge is in the center of the photograph. Dandridge's body is angled to the left with her head turned toward the camera. She is in a form-fitting strapless silver dress with a train. Dandridge gives off the appereance of dancing and has her knees and arms bent. The left side of the photograph has a blurred image of a black shape [piano] that extends out of the frame. The background is orange with shadows around the edges that highlight Dandridge in the center. The original photograph shows the grand piano with the lid propped open and a candle resting on the case. Dandridge is wearing a matching earrings and necklace set of dark inlaid gemstones. She has silver heels that match the ruched silver dress with a sweetheart neckline.
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 with cleaning instructions checked in black ink. 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
Dance
Entertainers
Mass media
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
2017.20.6ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Carrie Mae Weems
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5759fa94f-9357-4f97-ad8c-94054689c869

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

Share this page