Dido

Maker and role
Artist: Grace Hartigan, American, 1922-2008
 Year
1960
 See full details

Object detail

Media/Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
82 x 91in (208.3 x 231.1cm)
Credit line
Gift of Jane and Arthur Stieren
Accession number
1988.3
Object type
Paintings
Department
Contemporary Art
Location
Not on view
Further information
The title of this painting refers to a Greek legend in Virgil's Aeneid about a torrid love affair between Dido, the queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the Trojan hero. The story ends with Dido's suicide over the lovers' forced separation. Because of what she was experiencing in a tumultuous romantic relationship with Dr. Winston Price, Hartigan explained that she identified strongly with Dido's emotional turmoil and portrayed her feelings on canvas. Despite their passion for one another, Hartigan believed they had no future together. However, they married in 1960, and Hartigan dedicated the painting to Price with an inscription "To W.P." under her signature
Copyright
© Estate of Grace Hartigan
Documentation
Art Connections; Rosalind Ragans (b.1933, d.2018); 1998; 1998, 2005 ed.
Modern Art at the McNay: A Brief History and Pictorial Survey of the Collection; William J. Chiego; 2001; p. 204
Signature & date
Signed/dated, l.r.: Hartigan '60
Subject period
Abstract Expressionist
Modernist
Docent information sheet
http://collection.mcnayart.org/docs/Hartigan.pdf
Maker

Share

My shortlist

Subject category

Explore other objects by colour

Public comments

Thank you for showing this work, and the inspiring story behind it!

- Amanda posted 3 years ago.

Google reCaptchaThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.