Misunderstandings (A Theory of Photography)

1970

Mel Bochner

Associated Names
Mel Bochner

Artist, American, 1940 - 2025

The image shows a black and white X-ray scan focusing on a hand and a portion of the forearm, extending to just above the elbow. The hand is positioned with fingers slightly spread, flat against a vertical surface, potentially glass, as part of the scanning process. The fingers and contours of the hand are clearly visible, along with the forearm and part of the elbow joint. The person is wearing a short-sleeved shirt with horizontal stripes, visible on the upper part of the arm where the sleeve ends. The background consists of a dark tone with a 12-inch measurement scale running vertically beside the hand for dimension reference. The rest of the image comprises dark areas likely resulting from the scanning process or the surrounding device.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    10 offset lithographs on notecards and envelope

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mary and Dan Solomon

  • Dimensions

    sheet (each): 12.7 × 20.32 cm (5 × 8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.177.55


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Printed Matter, New York; Mary and Dan Solomon, Monarch Beach, CA; gift to NGA, 2018.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2025

  • The '70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, October 6, 2024–April 6, 2025

Inscriptions

signed by artist, center of envelope printed in black ink: MISUNDERSTANDINGS / (A THEORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY) / MEL BOCHNER; center right of envelope printed in black ink perpendicular: © Multiples, Inc., N.Y. 1970


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