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Evening

Guy Pène du Bois

American Art

Body Language

The bold, open pose of the woman in Evening indicates that she is actively encouraging her partner’s attention. In contrast, the confidence man, or con man, in the adjacent painting stands aggressively near his female companion. His almost threatening stance and her downcast face suggest that he is not to be trusted.

Despite the physical closeness of these two sets of figures, their faces are inscrutable and the nature of their interactions remains ambiguous. Guy Pène du Bois frequently painted stiff figures with masklike faces, suggesting social alienation beneath the glitter and gloss of the party scene.
MEDIUM Oil on canvas
DATES 1929
DIMENSIONS 21 15/16 x 18 3/8 in. (55.7 x 46.7 cm) Frame: 28 x 24 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (71.1 x 61.6 x 7 cm)  (show scale)
SIGNATURE Signed and dated, lower left: "Guy Pene du Bois '29"
COLLECTIONS American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER 65.204.2
CREDIT LINE Gift of Daniel and Rita Fraad, Jr.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Guy Pène du Bois (American, 1884–1958). Evening, 1929. Oil on canvas, 21 15/16 x 18 3/8 in. (55.7 x 46.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Daniel and Rita Fraad, Jr., 65.204.2. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 65.204.2_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 65.204.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT © courtesy estate of Yvonne Pene du Bois McKenney and Graham Gallery, New York
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