Nationality

American

Artist Dates

1930-2010

Preview

image preview

Date of Work

1997

Medium

Acrylic on canvas

Signature

On back

Height

31"

Width

16"

Collection/Provenance

Art & Design Study Collection: James Pierce Collection

Status

Displayed: Lower level

Location

Memorial Union

Artist Bio

Born in Brooklyn, New York, James Smith Pierce received his PhD in art history from Harvard University. During his career as a professor, Pierce also became an accomplished artist, whose artworks were included in important exhibitions (including a show on land art at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC) and books on contemporary earthworks and site-specific sculpture. Pierce was also a photographer, exhibition curator, and art collector.

Additional Information

Student composed text panel:

James Smith Pierce (American, 1930-2010)
Artiste-Peintre, 1997
Acrylic on canvas
UND Art Collections: James Smith Pierce Collection
Purchased with Funds from the Myers Foundations.

James Smith Pierce attended Harvard University, where he received his PhD in art history. In addition to his contributions to the history of art, he also contributed to the land art movement in the 1970s and 1980s, where he exhibited across the United States. Pierce’s work was included in many exhibitions, one of which was a show on land art at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. In addition to being an accomplished art historian and artist, Pierce was also a photographer, exhibition curator, and art collector.

The Artiste-Peintre painting is of a paintbrush situated on a figure’s body, which gives the viewer a clue that this painting might be a self-portrait of the artist, hence the name. This painting is one of several other pieces from his portfolio that contain some type of whimsical figure, showing the artist’s sense of fun and humor.

Blue figure with paintbrush bristles for hair on a green background.

Condition

Excellent

Rights

Images and film are provided for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced in any form without written consent. ©University of North Dakota. All rights reserved.

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