Bacchus #46
Elaine de Kooning
(American, 1918–1989)
1982
Medium/TechniqueAcrylic on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 152.4 x 101.6 cm (60 x 40 in.)
Credit LineGift of Gerald M. McCue in memory of Barbara W. McCue
Accession number2002.791
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As a woman and as an artist, Elaine de Kooning broke many rules. She was outspoken, had a sharp wit, and reportedly could drink many men under the table. An art critic known for her independent thinking and eloquent writing, she was a staunch defender of Abstract Expressionism. Yet in her own paintings, she continued to represent figures. Bacchus #46 belongs to a series inspired by “the churning, writhing movement” of a statue in the Luxemburg Gardens in Paris. Her bold strokes and vibrant colors evoke the energy de Kooning saw in the sculpture.
ProvenanceThe artist; with Gruenebaum Gallery, Ltd., New York; 1982, purchased by Gerald M. McCue, Cambridge, MA; gift to MFA, Boston, January 22, 2003CopyrightElaine de Kooning Trust
