Artist
David Lackey (American, born 1956)American, born 1956
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Verdigris
Date2014
MediumAmbrotype over tintype in thermoplastic union case
DimensionsOverall: 3 3/4 × 3 3/8 × 15/16 in. (9.5 × 8.6 × 2.4 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by Clinton T. Willour and Reid Mitchell in honor of Devin Borden
Object number2017.281
Non exposé
Explore Further
Department
PhotographyObject Type
David Lackey exploits the opacity and transparency of a 19th-century ambrotype
to create a multilayered, dreamlike composite. Ambrotypes are essentially
glass-plate negatives that appear as positive images when laid against a black
backing. But instead of using a solid black background, Lackey placed this
ambrotype of a young man over a second, close-up portrait. The result suggests
one image dreaming of the other.
ProvenanceThe artist, Houston; [Devin Borden Gallery, Houston]; purchased by MFAH, 2017.
Exhibition History"40 Years of Discovery: Gifts of Clint Willour," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, June 9–October 14, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in black, applied label, case edge: "VERDIGRIS" DAVID LACKEY 2014
Inscribed in black, applied label, case edge: "VERDIGRIS" DAVID LACKEY 2014
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
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![[Seated female, facing right]](/internal/media/dispatcher/204065/thumbnail)
![[Back and Front Portraits]](/internal/media/dispatcher/412152/thumbnail)
![[Woman with Bonnet and Man with Cravat]](/internal/media/dispatcher/420539/thumbnail)
![[Seated female, sheer sleeve, facing left]](/internal/media/dispatcher/204066/thumbnail)