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The Commode

A work made of oil on canvas.

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  • A work made of oil on canvas.

Date:

1905–12

Artist:

Walter Gay
American, 1856–1937

About this artwork

American expatriate Walter Gay devoted the majority of his professional career to painting small-scale, richly adorned interiors like this one. The Commode depicts the Rococo-inspired salon at Château du Bréau, the artist’s residence outside Paris. Although he typically did not portray people in his works, Gay suggested their presence through the use of mirrors, windows, and open doors as seen in this bright and airy, sun-filled room.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Walter Gay

Title

The Commode

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.

c. 1905–1912

Medium

Oil on canvas

Inscriptions

Signed: Walter Gay, lower right

Dimensions

66 × 54.6 cm (26 × 21 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Friends of American Art Collection

Reference Number

1914.357

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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