Skip to main content

The Picnic

The Picnic
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Marius de Zayas, 1880 - 1961
Sitter
Katharine Nash Rhoades, 30 Nov 1885 - 26 Oct 1965
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer, 02 Jan 1887 - 01 Sep 1970
Emmeline Obermeyer Stieglitz, 1873 - 1953
John B. Kerfoot, 1865 - 1927
Alfred Stieglitz, 1 Jan 1864 - 13 Jul 1946
Marius de Zayas, 1880 - 1961
John Marin, 23 Dec 1870 - 2 Oct 1953
Paul Burty Haviland, 17 Jun 1880 - 21 Dec 1950
Eugene Isaac Meyer, 31 Oct 1875 - 17 Jul 1959
Date
1912
Type
Drawing
Medium
Watercolor, ink and graphite on paper
Dimensions
Sheet: 55.9 × 78.1 cm (22 × 30 3/4")
Frame (Verified): 79.8 × 104 × 2 cm (31 7/16 × 40 15/16 × 13/16")
Topic
Costume\Headgear\Hat
Exterior
Nature & Environment\Animal\Horse
Equipment\Smoking Implements\Cigarette
Nature & Environment\Animal\Dog
Costume\Footwear\Boots
Paul Burty Haviland: Male
Paul Burty Haviland: Literature\Writer
Paul Burty Haviland: Visual Arts\Artist\Photographer
Paul Burty Haviland: Literature\Editor
Eugene Isaac Meyer: Male
Eugene Isaac Meyer: Politics and Government\Public official
Eugene Isaac Meyer: Journalism and Media\Newspaper publisher
Eugene Isaac Meyer: Business and Finance\Banking and Finance\Banker\Investment banker
Eugene Isaac Meyer: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Broker\Stockbroker
Katharine Nash Rhoades: Female
Katharine Nash Rhoades: Visual Arts\Artist\Painter
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Female
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Social reformer
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Journalism and Media\Journalist
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist\Patron of the arts
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Journalism and Media\Journalist\Reporter
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist
Agnes Elizabeth Ernst Meyer: Society and Social Change\Reformer\Activist\Political activist
Marius de Zayas: Male
Marius de Zayas: Visual Arts\Artist\Caricaturist
Alfred Stieglitz: Male
Alfred Stieglitz: Journalism and Media\Magazine publisher
Alfred Stieglitz: Visual Arts\Artist\Photographer
Alfred Stieglitz: Journalism and Media\Magazine editor
Alfred Stieglitz: Visual Arts\Designer\Exhibition designer
John Marin: Male
John Marin: Visual Arts\Artist\Painter\Landscape painter
John Marin: Visual Arts\Artist\Painter\Watercolorist
Emmeline Obermeyer Stieglitz: Female
John B. Kerfoot: Male
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; bequest of Katharine Graham
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Estate of Marius De Zayas
Object number
NPG.2001.95
Exhibition Label
Mexican-born artist Marius de Zayas was closely associated with the avant-garde circle surrounding Alfred Stieglitz, the photographer and founder of 291, one of New York City’s most important galleries. In this 1912 drawing, de Zayas shows his companions careening precariously downhill on a hay wagon. He probably made the watercolor at Seven Springs, a farm near Mount Kisco, New York, owned by patrons Agnes Ernst Meyer and Eugene Meyer.
In addition to Emmeline Stieglitz in the driver’s seat, Agnes directly behind, and Eugene in the rear, the figures include Stieglitz, the artist Katharine Rhoades, painter John Marin, photographer Paul Haviland, and de Zayas himself (in a cap). The vivid colors and lively tangle of geometric forms convey the group’s high-spirited, playful side. But unsettling aspects of the scene hint at tensions within the group. Judging from a few nervous gestures and expressions, not everyone is enjoying this out-ofcontrol ride.
El artista de origen mexicano Marius de Zayas estuvo muy asociado con el círculo vanguardista de Alfred Stieglitz, fotógrafo y fundador de la galería 291, una de las más importantes de la ciudad de Nueva York. En este dibujo de 1912, De Zayas coloca a sus compañeros en una precaria carreta que se precipita cuesta abajo. Es probable que realizara la acuarela en Seven Springs, una granja cerca de Mount Kisco, Nueva York, propiedad de los mecenas Agnes Ernst Meyer y Eugene Meyer.
Además de Emmeline Stieglitz, quien lleva las riendas con Agnes detrás de ella y Eugene en la retaguardia, vemos a Stieglitz, la artista Katharine Rhoades, el pintor John Marin, el fotógrafo Paul Haviland y De Zayas (con gorra). Los colores vivos y la animada combinación de formas geométricas comunican el espíritu lúdico y jovial del grupo. No obstante, se reflejan tensiones internas. A juzgar por ciertos gestos y expresiones nerviosas, no todos se divierten en este trayecto desbocado.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view