met demuth
Charles Demuth, "The Figure 5 in Gold" 1928, oil on cardboard
our guide said that this is another significant work and a good example of american modern art. From the museum description:
This is one of 11 abstract portraits Demuth made between 1923 & 1929. In it, he paid homage to a friend, the poet William Carlos Williams. Rather than painting a literal likeness, Demuth arranged a composition of shapes and symbols related to Williams. Included are the poet's initials and teh names "Bill" and "Carlo(s)." The painting's colors and imagery come directly from the William's poem "The Great Figure" which describes the experience of seeing a red fire engine with the number 5 painted on it racing through city streets.
"The Great Figure"
Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
fire truck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city
met demuth
Charles Demuth, "The Figure 5 in Gold" 1928, oil on cardboard
our guide said that this is another significant work and a good example of american modern art. From the museum description:
This is one of 11 abstract portraits Demuth made between 1923 & 1929. In it, he paid homage to a friend, the poet William Carlos Williams. Rather than painting a literal likeness, Demuth arranged a composition of shapes and symbols related to Williams. Included are the poet's initials and teh names "Bill" and "Carlo(s)." The painting's colors and imagery come directly from the William's poem "The Great Figure" which describes the experience of seeing a red fire engine with the number 5 painted on it racing through city streets.
"The Great Figure"
Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
fire truck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city