Nationality
American
Artist Dates
1930-2010
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.