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Artist/Maker
Barbara Morgan
(American, 1900 – 1992)
Date1935, printed early 1980s
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 13 3/8 × 17 1/2 in. (34 × 44.5 cm)
Sheet: 16 × 20 in. (40.6 × 50.8 cm)
Credit LinePurchase, The Wynant J. Williams '35 Art Collection Fund
Object number2025.7
Not on view
DescriptionDepicts Primitive Mysteries, a modern ballet choreographed by Martha Graham with music by Louis Horst. The dance premiered in 1931 in New York City, echoing Spanish Catholic rituals blended with Native American customs in the Southwest United States. Martha Graham felt inspired to create the work after a trip to New Mexico. She performed the lead role of the Virgin (central figure in white) herself. The dance consists of three sections: "Hymn to the Virgin", "Crucifixus", and "Hosannah".
Collections
Additional Details
Provenance
From the Photographer; to a New York Collector, circa 1980s; to Swann Auction Galleries, Sale 2694: Fine Photographs, February 13, 2025, Lot 125; to the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY
Markings
Verso, bottom center (black ink stamp): "COPYRIGHT - BARBARA MORGAN / 120 HIGH POINT ROAD, SCARSDALE, N.Y. 10583 / CREDIT - PHOTOGRAPH BY BARBARA MORGAN"
Signature
Recto, lower right margin (black ink): "Barbara Morgan 1935"
Inscribed
Recto, lower left margin (black ink): "Martha Graham - Primitive Mysteries."
Verso, top left corner (pencil): "7"
Verso, lower right, upside down (pencil): "v v 370"
Verso, top left corner (pencil): "7"
Verso, lower right, upside down (pencil): "v v 370"
Graham Sutherland
Date: 1946
Medium: Double-sided painting: ink and gouache (recto); gouache (verso) on board
Object number: 1991.217a-b
Date: 19th century
Medium: Iron, wood, copper alloy
Object number: 2023.10.52
Barbara Walker MBE RA
Date: 2018
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Object number: 2019.11
Toyohara Kunichika
Date: c. 1870
Medium: Color woodblock print on paper
Object number: 1985.45
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
Date: 1875-1900
Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.173
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
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Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.174
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
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Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.175
Unknown artist, Chinese
Date: c. 960-1127
Medium: Stoneware with white glaze
Object number: 2016.6.4
Fratelli Alinari Fotografi Editori
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Medium: Albumen print
Object number: S2018.2.135
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Object number: 2018.3.6