Benefit Poetry

William Wegman

1986

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Three horizontal rectangles in left half of paper, each containing abstract line drawing.
A large-scale color photograph from a series commonly referred to as the "History Pictures," in which the artist created numerous images modeled on Renaissance-era European portrait painting. Sherman uses herself as the model in these pictures. Instead of directly quoting any one work or artist, in the "History Pictures" Sherman recreates the historical postures, types and trappings of the genre. "Untitled #213" is particularly reminiscent of the work of German painter Hans Holbein; there are marked similarities between "Untitled #213" and Holbein's portrait of Thomas More. Sherman achieves her imitations of these earlier portraits through playacting, costume, make-up, prosthetics, set decorations and lighting. The overall effect of "Untitled #213" is "realistic," except that Sherman has accentuated the fakeness of the figure's false scalp with attached hair and eyebrows. The work is in an original frame created to the artist's specifications.
Black and white press print of four white policemen beating an African American man with clubs, who covers his head while lying on the pavement.
Untitled (Painting of Five Men) Paris, 1983, Ralph Gibson, Portfolio published by Double Elephant Editions, Ltd., Type C color print