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Artist
Lee Simonson, 26 Jun 1888 - 23 Jan 1967
Sitter
Lee Simonson, 26 Jun 1888 - 23 Jan 1967
Date
c. 1912
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 102.2 x 81.9 x 2.5cm (40 1/4 x 32 1/4 x 1")
Frame: 116.2 x 96.2 x 5.7cm (45 3/4 x 37 7/8 x 2 1/4")
Topic
Interior
Nature & Environment\Plant\Flower\Flowers
Container\Pitcher
Self-portrait
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
Food\Fruit
Lee Simonson: Visual Arts\Artist
Lee Simonson: Male
Lee Simonson: Literature\Writer
Lee Simonson: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Lecturer
Lee Simonson: Visual Arts\Founder
Lee Simonson: Journalism and Media\Magazine editor
Lee Simonson: Performing Arts\Costume designer
Lee Simonson: Performing Arts\Scenographer
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Karl and Jody Simonson; frame conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women's Committee
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Object number
NPG.77.239
Exhibition Label
Lee Simonson, a major force in American scenic design, discovered in his youth what “painters’ and designers’ vision could do to revivify the theater.” After graduating from Harvard in 1909, he sought to become a muralist and went to Paris. There, over the course of three years, he honed his skills while attending some of the most experimental European theatrical productions. He also formed friendships with other American expatriates, notably the writer Gertrude Stein and the painter Stanton MacDonald-Wright. When he created this self-portrait, he may still have been living in Paris. The painting shows his mastery of pattern and composition, and the areas of pure, vibrant color reveal his interest in Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, and the French contempo- rary painters known as the Fauves. Upon returning to New York City, in 1912, Simonson felt determined to launch his career as a set designer.
Lee Simonson, figura de gran influencia en el diseño escenográfico, descubrió en su juventud lo que “los pintores y escenógrafos, con su visión, podían hacer para revitalizar el teatro”. Luego de graduarse de la Universidad de Harvard en 1909, quiso hacerse muralista y se fue a París. En su estadía de tres años, perfeccionó sus destrezas y presenció algunas de las producciones de teatro más experimentales de Europa. También hizo amistad con otros expatriados estadounidenses, entre ellos Gertrude Stein y el pintor Stanton MacDonald-Wright. Cuando Simonson hizo este autorretrato es posible que estuviera viviendo aún en París. La pintura evidencia su dominio de los patrones y la composición, mientras las áreas de color puro y vibrante revelan su interés en Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin y los pintores contemporáneos franceses conocidos como fauvistas. Cuando regresó a Nueva York en 1912, estaba decidido a lanzar su carrera como escenógrafo.
Provenance
Karl Simonson, New York, son of artist; gift 1967 to NPG; received and accessioned 1977
