Joseph Cornell

 
 

JOSEPH CORNELL

(American, 1903 – 1972)
Homage to the Romantic Ballet, circa 1950’s
Paper collage laid on masonite
Image size: 16 1/4 by 13 11/4 in. (41.28 by 33.66 cm)
In artist’s frame
Inscribed in typeface “Hommage [sic] to the Romantic Ballet. Follower of Pesellino for Fanny Cerrito. Collage by Joseph Cornell” on a label affixed to the reverse;
Signed “Joseph Cornell" on a piece of paper glued to the reverse (mirror image);
Indistinctly titled and inscribed “...the Romantic Ballet / Beckett on Proust last ¶...” on the reverse

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inscribed and signed verso

(verso)

 
 
 

Joseph Cornell  was an American artist and filmmaker. He lived most of his life in relative isolation on Utopia Parkway, Queens, with his incapacitated brother, Robert. He made occasional trips to New York City to see the ballet and other musical events. Cornell began his career making very small boxes, from pillbox-size up, of curious objects. He also created black and white Surrealist collages that often included fragments of old engravings. He became the master of magical assemblage works.