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.
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.
EXHIBITIONS
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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