Triple Exposure of Duchamp Smoking a Cigar

John D. Schiff (1907–1976)
Gelatin silver print, 1968

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania; gift of Jacqueline, Paul, and Peter Matisse in memory of their mother Alexina Duchamp

<< Return

In this photograph, which was taken in the same year that Duchamp died, John D. Schiff draws on the iconic elements of Duchamp’s self-representation: the profile portrait, the reflection or ephemeral image, and the ever-present cigar.

Schiff uses the triple exposure technique to emphasize both the multiple layers of Duchamp’s artistic dialogue and complex personae. By weaving together a horizontally aligned profile portrait with two vertically aligned portraits, Schiff brings together different modes of Duchamp’s representation. As a result, he creates a portrait of Duchamp not as an artist, but as a legend.

<< Return

Listen to co-curator James McManus discuss this image: