DUCHAMP, Marcel

Blainville-Crevon, Seine-Maritime 1887 - Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine 1968

1964 edition fabricated by Galleria Schwarz, Milano, under supervision of artist.

Fresh Widow

Fresh Widow

1920, 1964 edition fabricated by Galleria Schwarz, Milano, under supervision of artist

wood, leather, paint; edition 8/8

ready-made

Dimensions (HxWxD): 30 ¹⁄₂ x 20 ⁷⁄₈ x 3 ⁵⁄₁₆ in.

Rrose Selavy

Acc. No.: 71.37.12

Credit Line: Partial gift of Mrs. William H. Conroy

Photo credit: photograph by: Michael Cavanagh and Kevin Montague

© Artist : Fair Use (Section 107, Copyright Act 1976)

Bloomington, Indiana, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University (formally Indiana University Art Museum)

www.iub.edu/~iuam

Provenance

• 1971, Partial gift of Mrs. William H. Conroy

Bibliography

• Museum's website (accessed July 19, 2023) 

Comment

• Museum's website (accessed July 19, 2023) : 

  The title of this work, referring to the large number of recently widowed women in the aftermath of World War I, is a wordplay on “French window,” a glass-paned double door. The black leather covering the panes may symbolize mourning. Although described as a readymade, Fresh Widow was constructed by a carpenter according to Duchamp’s specifications. “Rrose Selavy,” mentioned in the inscription, was a female alter-ego Duchamp cultivated, aligning here with the feminine orientation of this work.

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