Grief—A Study
Grief—A Study

Currently not on view

Grief—A Study,

1899

Clarence H. White, 1871–1925; born West Carlisle, OH; died Mexico City, Mexico; active Ohio and New York
x1983-712
Grief uses the prone posture of the model rather than her face in profile to suggest the extent of her suffering, in keeping with the belief of the eighteenth-century German philosopher Gotthold Ephraim Lessing that extreme contortions of the features clashed with the idea of beauty. Unlike evenly lit, sharp-focus stock photographs of expressions, White’s moody interiors were exhibited as dramas in their own right. As the flowing gowns, sword, and antique chest suggest, his scenarios were inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings of sorrowful women and the "fancy subjects" of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron.

Information

Title
Grief—A Study
Dates

1899

Maker
Clarence H. White
Medium
Platinum print
Dimensions
Number sheet: 14.1 x 19.5 cm (5 9/16 x 7 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Clarence H. White Collection, assembled and organized by Professor Clarence H. White Jr., and given in memory of Lewis F. White, Dr. Maynard P. White Sr., and Clarence H. White Jr., the sons of Clarence H. White Sr. and Jane Felix White
Object Number
x1983-712
Place Made

North America, United States

Inscription
Inscription on photo, verso, written and circled in blue pencil, top left: 323 Inscription on photo, verso, written in blue pencil, top right: c Inscription on photo, verso, written in pencil, top left corner: Print floor/ lighter Inscription on photo, verso, written sideways in pencil, top right: Grief Inscription on photo, verso, written and circled in pencil, center: 59
Culture
American
Type
photographs, platinum prints, black-and-white photographs
Techniques
platinum process
Subject
figures (representations), interior spaces, women

Created by Clarence H. White Sr., the artist; by descent to Clarence H. White Jr., on or after July 8, 1925 [1]; by descent to Clarence H. White Jr.’s widow, Ruth Royer White, 1978 [2]; bequest, to Princeton University Art Museum, 1983 [3].
Notes:
[1]. Possibly on the occasion of Clarence H. White Sr.’s death, as part of the Clarence H. White Collection.
[2]. On the occasion of Clarence H. White Jr.’s death.
[3]. Carried out by Ruth Royer White on behalf of Clarence H. White Jr.

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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