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Photo: Nathaniel Willson
Salad Days
Photo: Nathaniel Willson

Salad Days

Date1984
Maker Eric Fischl American, born 1948
Label TextIn 1927 Mies van der Rohe built two adjacent private villas, known as Haus Lange and Haus Esters, in the German city of Krefeld. They are celebrated icons of the Bauhaus school’s new design, where Van der Rohe was a teacher. Fischl was invited to turn one of the buildings—which are museums today—into a theatrical stage. He selected furniture and artwork and hired two professional actors to enact intimate scenarios. Over four days, Fischl took some 2000 photographs and turned a handful of the resulting images into paintings.
Object number2014.25.18
Provenance[Mary Boone Gallery, New York, New York]; purchased from gallery by Virginia and Bagley Wright, Seattle, Washington, Apr. 4, 1985
Photo CreditPhoto: Nathaniel Willson
Published ReferencesBerman, Avis. “Artist’s Dialogue: Eric Fischl. Trouble in Paradise.” Architectural Digest (December, 1985): pp.72 - 79, reproduced p. 76. Fairbrother, Trevor. The Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection. Seattle: Seattle Art Museum in association with University of Washington Press, 1999; p. 200 [not in exhibition].
Credit LineGift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
Dimensions84 x 168 in. (213.4 x 426.7 cm)
MediumOil on linen, two panels
Image courtesy of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection
Eric Fischl
1983
Object number: 2020.15.10
Study for Annie, Gwen, Lillie, Pam & Tulip
Eric Fischl
1985
Object number: 2001.1066
Photo: Nathaniel Willson
Eric Fischl
2003
Object number: 2014.25.19
Photo: Lehmann Maupin Gallery
Mickalene Thomas
2014
Object number: 2015.9
Photo: Nathaniel Willson
David Salle
1990-91
Object number: 2014.25.71
Billy Al Bengston
1976
Object number: 2014.25.8
Photo: Susan A. Cole
Kano Takanobu
beginning of the 17th century
Object number: 51.37.1
Photo: Susan A. Cole
Kano Takanobu
beginning of the 17th century
Object number: 51.37.2
Photo: Susan A. Cole
Kano Takanobu
beginning of the 17th century
Object number: 51.37.3
Photo: Paul Macapia
Kano Takanobu
beginning of the 17th century
Object number: 51.37.4
Boy, Woman, Dog
Eric Fischl
1992
Object number: 94.2