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Tattoo and Haircut

A work made of egg tempera on masonite.
© 2018 Estate of Reginald Marsh / Art Students League, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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  • A work made of egg tempera on masonite.

Date:

1932

Artist:

Reginald Marsh (American, 1898–1954)

About this artwork

One of the foremost realists of the 1930s, Reginald Marsh was fascinated by public behavior and excited by the commotion of New York City. Tattoo and Haircut portrays a busy scene of people talking, walking, and loitering below the massive structure of the elevated train that ran over the Bowery, then an area notorious for brothels, tattoo parlors, and transitory lodging. Marsh filled every inch of the composition with details, ranging from architectural elements to signs and text. Marsh used tempera—a medium that dries quickly—almost as if he were drawing. He added successive layers of muted colors resulting in a mottled, uneven surface that emphasizes the gritty nature of this world. His rapid, sketchy technique thus reinforced his presentation of the subject as cacophonous, dilapidated, and dim yet vibrantly alive.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Reginald Marsh

Title

Tattoo and Haircut

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1932

Medium

Egg tempera on Masonite

Dimensions

118.1 × 121.6 cm (46 1/2 × 47 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Earle Ludgin

Reference Number

1947.39

Copyright

© 2018 Estate of Reginald Marsh / Art Students League, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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