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Painting and Sculpture

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Fresh Widow

Marcel Duchamp (American, born France. 1887-1968)

New York 1920. Miniature French window, painted wood frame, and panes of glass covered with black leather, 30 1/2 x 17 5/8" (77.5 x 44.8 cm), on wood sill 3/4 x 21 x 4" (1.9 x 53.4 x 10.2 cm). Katherine S. Dreier Bequest. © 2009 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris / Estate of Marcel Duchamp

151.1953

Gallery Label Text

2006

This is a small replica of a traditional French window. The glass panes are covered with black leather that Duchamp insisted "should be shined every day like shoes." With the inscription along the base, Duchamp turned an inanimate French window into an anthropomorphic "Fresh Widow," which was, he felt, "an obvious enough pun."

Dada

June 18–September 11, 2006

Constructed by a carpenter in accordance with Duchamp’s instructions, Fresh Widow is a reduced scale version of the traditional floor-length French window. Duchamp covered the glass panes with panels of black leather, obstructing the metaphorical view through the window that is associated with illusionistic painting. With the change of three letters, Duchamp transforms "French window" into the title "Fresh Widow," a pun that points to the recent war and the bawdy tradition of amorous (or "fresh") widows of soldiers. The inscription at the base, "COPYRIGHT ROSE SELAVY 1920," is the first time the name of Duchamp's female alter ego appears on one of his works.

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