Animations:

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Open 10:00–5:00

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

The Secret of Life

1936

Harry Sternberg

Associated Names

Harry Sternberg

Artist, American, 1904 - 2001

American Artists Group

Publisher

This is a drawing depicting a scene where a fetal figure is surrounded by a glowing light in a cosmic setting. On the left, there is a telescope pointing at a star-filled sky and a hand holding a compass over a starry map. On the right, a laboratory setup with flasks and a microscope is shown. Above the fetus, there is a bolt of energy connecting two spherical forms with spiral elements below. The image merges themes of astronomy, biology, and futuristic science.

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Medium

etching and aquatint in black
Credit Line

Reba and Dave Williams Collection, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams
Dimensions

plate: 20.3 × 35.3 cm (8 × 13 7/8 in.)
sheet: 32.2 × 46 cm (12 11/16 × 18 1/8 in.)
Accession Number

2008.115.4638
Catalogue Raisonné

Moore 1975, no. 129

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1975

Moore, James C. Harry Sternberg: A Catalog Raisonné of His Graphic Work. Wichita, Kansas: Ulrich Museum of Art, 1975, no. 129.

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: STERNBERG © 1936; lower center in graphite: To my beloved friend Leonard -; lower right in graphite: H Sternberg

Markings

stamped lower right verso in gray ink: [American Artists Group logo] THE SECRET OF LIFE by HARRY STERNBERG HS © 1936

Wikidata ID

Q76456346

You may be interested in