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A Vision

A work made of oil on canvas.

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  • A work made of oil on canvas.

Date:

1925–26

Artist:

Joseph Stella (American, born Italy, 1877–1946)

About this artwork

In 1922 Joseph Stella revisited his native Italy and became fascinated by Renaissance painting. After returning to New York, he began to produce detailed, symbolic compositions such as A Vision, which was originally a mural commission. Stella was enthralled by the tropical plants he observed at the Bronx Botanical Garden, and here he imagined a woman growing out of the earth like the exotic flowers on either side of her. This painting’s fantastical subject also aligns it with modern art, particularly the dreamlike imagery of Surrealism.

Status

On View, Gallery 271

Department

Arts of the Americas

Artist

Joseph Stella

Title

A Vision

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. 1925–1926

Medium

Oil on canvas

Inscriptions

Signed lower right: Joseph Stella

Dimensions

203.2 × 101.6 cm (80 × 40 in.)

Credit Line

Through prior gift of the Albert Kunstadter Family Foundation

Reference Number

1990.79

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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