Two Shells
Artist
Edward Weston
(American, 1886 - 1958)
Date1927
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsOverall: 9 1/2 x 6 7/8 inches (24.13 x 17.46 cm)
Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Object number2005.27.2487
InscribedInscription
Signed in artist's hand
"For Merle--Knowing he is fortunate! From Edward October 1929"
Verso
Description: In artist's hand.
Initialed
"E.W."
Recto, LL
In Pencil
Initialed
Signed in artist's hand
"E.W."
Back of Mount
Inscription
In Merle Armitage's hand: "To the Begleys Merle Armitage 1934"
Back of Mount
On View
Not on viewCollections
Terms
Rotation 3. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, March 20 – August 18, 2008, no cat.
Rotation 7. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, December 7, 2009 – May 17, 2010, no cat.
Rotation 11. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, September 17, 2011 – March 18, 2012, no cat.
Edward Weston’s characteristically straight or purist style is seen in this classic still-life image, one of his most famous works of the period. This photograph is a contact print from an 8 x 10-inch negative. Since there is no enlarging involved in this process, the resulting prints convey an astonishing level of detail and immediacy. In this image, Weston transforms two intertwined shells into something altogether new: sensual, monumental and timeless.
Edward Weston;
Given by the artist to Merle Armitage (1893-1975), Yucca Valley, CA, October 1929;
Given by Merle Armitage to The Begley's, 1934;
With Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ by 2001;
Purchased from Etherton Gallery by Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO, 2001;
Given by Hallmark Cards, Inc. to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2005.
Given by the artist to Merle Armitage (1893-1975), Yucca Valley, CA, October 1929;
Given by Merle Armitage to The Begley's, 1934;
With Etherton Gallery, Tucson, AZ by 2001;
Purchased from Etherton Gallery by Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO, 2001;
Given by Hallmark Cards, Inc. to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2005.
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information,
is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete.
Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a
particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum.
If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image,
please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.
