Provenance

Robert Lehrman

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The composition includes sharp geometric shapes - a blue grid with a circular pattern and a triangular pink pyramid placed next to an old, classical painting segment showing a nude figure holding a shield. The arrangement contrasts mathematical precision with historical art. The blue grid and circular element may resemble a mathematical chart, while the pyramid suggests associations with geometric constructions. Classical art and modern shapes blend together in a single frame, creating an intriguing juxtaposition.
Joseph Cornell, Circe III (Surface and Volume in Nature), 1961 - 1966, cut-and-pasted offset printed paper and paint on hardboard, in artist's frame, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Aimee Lehrman, 2023.124.3

Circe III (Surface and Volume in Nature)

Joseph Cornell · 1961 - 1966 · cut-and-pasted offset printed paper and paint on hardboard, in artist's frame ·  Accession ID  2023.124.3

The sculpture depicts a miniature model of a building labeled as "COLEMAN'S CAFE." The structure appears to be a small, single-story establishment with a rustic appearance. The building is primarily dark brown and features a weathered look. The roof is slanted, with a textured surface. On the front, there are various vintage-style signs and advertisements, including a red Coca-Cola sign. There are several windows and a front porch area with posts supporting the small overhang. The ground around the building is modeled to appear earthen. The overall visual perspective of the sculpture is from a slightly elevated angle, allowing the viewer to see both the front and side of the building.
William Christenberry, Coleman's Cafe (I), 1982, mixed media, painted wood, and clay soil, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mr. Robert Lehrman), 2014.136.293

Coleman's Cafe (I)

William Christenberry · 1982 · mixed media, painted wood, and clay soil ·  Accession ID  2014.136.293

The image shows the upper half of a girl standing in a profile position, looking into a framed mirror. She has youthful features, short brown hair, and wears a green dress with white lace details. The girl holds a square mirror reflecting her face, with a bird perched on a branch behind the reflection. In the background, there is a large, pale yellow flower. The scene is framed in a wooden frame with a beige-colored mat.
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Portrait of the Artist’s Daughter by Vigee-Lebrun), c. 1960, cut-and-pasted offset printed paper with brush and black ink on wove paper, mounted to masonite, in artist's frame, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Rebecca Windschitl, 2023.124.26

Untitled (Portrait of the Artist’s Daughter by Vigee-Lebrun)

Joseph Cornell · c. 1960 · cut-and-pasted offset printed paper with brush and black ink on wove paper, mounted to masonite, in artist's frame ·  Accession ID  2023.124.26

The image depicts a landscape and portrait scene. The left side shows a canyon landscape with rock formations under a cloudy sky. The right side features a portrait of a person in period attire standing against a dark background.
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Grand Canyon and Child), c. 1960 - 1962, cut-and-pasted offset printed paper with oil paint, brown colored pencil, and ink, mounted to masonite, in artist's frame, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Jake, Jason and Juliette Lehrman, 2023.124.12

Untitled (Grand Canyon and Child)

Joseph Cornell · c. 1960 - 1962 · cut-and-pasted offset printed paper with oil paint, brown colored pencil, and ink, mounted to masonite, in artist's frame ·  Accession ID  2023.124.12

Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Celestial Navigation, Night Version), 1956-1958, box construction, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Aimee Lehrman, 2023.124.2

Untitled (Celestial Navigation, Night Version)

Joseph Cornell · 1956-1958 · box construction ·  Accession ID  2023.124.2

This is a painting of a shadow box with various elements and imagery. The box features a layered arrangement of objects and images against a pale background with vertical crack-like lines. Inside, there is a two-dimensional figure of a child with a dog or angular object, and stylized birds in flight. The upper section of the box has a grid and an inscription that reads "Apollinair is". Below the child's feet are three-dimensional spherical objects. The interior has elements of both whimsy and mystery, blending two-dimensional art with three-dimensional symbols.
Joseph Cornell, Variétés Apollinaris, 1953, box construction, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Isabelle Scott and Heidi Berry, 2023.124.21

Variétés Apollinaris

Joseph Cornell · 1953 · box construction ·  Accession ID  2023.124.21

Joseph Cornell, L’Égypte de Mlle. Cléo de Mérode: cours élémentaire d’histoire naturelle (Miss Cléo de Mérode’s Egypt: Elementary Natural History Course), 1940, box construction, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Lynda Hartigan, 2023.124.7

L’Égypte de Mlle. Cléo de Mérode: cours élémentaire d’histoire naturelle (Miss Cléo de Mérode’s Egypt: Elementary Natural History Course)

Joseph Cornell · 1940 · box construction ·  Accession ID  2023.124.7

Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Aviary with Multiple Birds), 1942, box construction, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Jake, Jason and Juliette Lehrman, 2023.124.11

Untitled (Aviary with Multiple Birds)

Joseph Cornell · 1942 · box construction ·  Accession ID  2023.124.11

The image shows geometric shapes including a dark blue cone, a green cylinder, and a large circular shape in the background. There is a small inset above the shapes with lines and circular shapes interconnected with arrows.
Joseph Cornell, How to Grow a Rainbow, c. 1964, cut-and-pasted offset printed paper and torn-and-pasted Japanese paper with brush and blue ink and pink colored pencil, mounted to masonite, in artist's frame, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Aimee, Jake, Jason and Juliette Lehrman, 2023.124.27

How to Grow a Rainbow

Joseph Cornell · c. 1964 · cut-and-pasted offset printed paper and torn-and-pasted Japanese paper with brush and blue ink and pink colored pencil, mounted to masonite, in artist's frame ·  Accession ID  2023.124.27

This is a rectangular wooden frame or shadow box enclosing a collage of layered shapes and lines. At the center is a cut-out of a white parrot perching on a branch, which appears to be made of paper or cardboard and is raised away from the rest of the material on the back of the box. Below the bird is curved piece of wood with a flat top and bottom which is attached to the back of the box, giving the impression that it is floating below the bird. On the right of the bird, a piece of silver thread or wire dangles from a metal ring that is attached to a pole that runs horizontally across the top of the piece. The background is composed of torn fragments of maps and newsprint arranged in an irregular fashion. There is also a piece of black paper cut out in the shape of the bird's shadow. Resting on the bottom of the shadow box is a small wooden ball on the left, and on the right appears to be a small piece of folded paper.
Joseph Cornell, A Parrot for Juan Gris, winter 1953-1954, box construction, Collection of Robert and Aimee Lehrman, Washington, D.C., in honor of Aimee Lehrman, 2023.124.1

A Parrot for Juan Gris

Joseph Cornell · winter 1953-1954 · box construction ·  Accession ID  2023.124.1