Maker(s): | Cornell, Joseph | Culture: | American (1903-1972)
| Title: | L'Abeille [The Bee]
| Type: | Collage
| Materials: | Mixed media collage; photostat, graphite, and black ink on paper
| Place Made: | North America; United States; New York; New York
| Measurements: | Frame: 14 11/16 in x 12 11/16 in x 1 3/4 in; 37.3 cm x 32.2 cm x 4.4 cm; Sight: 9 1/2 in x 7 1/2 in; 24.1 cm x 19 cm
| Narrative Inscription: | SIGNATURE LABEL: back, lwr. r. (typed, black ink): CORNELL; (black ink) Joseph Cornell. LABEL: back, upp. ctr. (typed, black ink): “What is precious is never to forget / ……… / Near the snow, near the sun…… / And by the streamers of white cloud, / And whispers of wind in the evening sky; / The names of those who in their lives fought for life, / Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center. / Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun, / And left the vivid air signed with their honor.” / I THINK CONTINUALLY OF THOSE WHO WERE TRULY GREAT. / Stephen Spender.; LABEL: back, l. edge of frame (black ink): 2211 ; (blue ink): (22B) ; (black ink): 2C-54C / 2211
| Accession Number: | MH 2002.15.6
| Credit Line: | Gift of the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation
| Museum Collection: | Mount Holyoke College Art Museum
|
|

|
Description: Gray and white clouds on a light blue background. A white horizontal band of paper is affixed just above the midpoint and outlined in graphite. The words “L’ABEILLE / TELEPHONE 1554” are inscribed across the paper. A vertical line of graphite extends above and below the white band, to the left of center. Frame: Dark wood frame with visible grain, worm holes, and tan linen liner. Back: A typed excerpt from the poem “I think continually of those who were truly grate” by Stephen Spender is affixed at upper back. A vertical graphite line stretches across the affixed paper and background panel near the left edge. A torn brown paper at bottom reveals a marbled blue and tan surface. Layers of masking tape overlap to create a double border around the outside edge.
Subjects: Collage; Graphite Link to share this object record: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=MH+2002.15.6 |