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Birdie and Joseph

Larry Rivers (American, 1923–2002)
1955

Medium/Technique Oil on canvas
Dimensions Height x width: 13 x 25 in. (33 x 63.5 cm)
Credit Line Melvin Blake and Frank Purnell Collection
Accession Number2003.44
ClassificationsPaintings
Larry Rivers' distinctive style merged drawing into painting, leaving unfinished passages and remnants of lines drawn with graphite. In the 1950s, many of Rivers' portraits were considered hightly provocative, because he often chose to depict his subjects life-sized and naked. In this small work, Rivers presents a close up of his mother-in-law and stepson, who stare out in a manner more detached and distant than familiar and loving.

ProvenanceThe artist. By 1994, with Melvin N. Blake (b. 1927 – d. 1999) and Frank M. Purnell (b. 1930 – d. 1994), New York; gift of the estate of Melvin Blake to MFA, Boston, January 22, 2003
Copyright© Estate of Larry Rivers