Lady in Large Hat

Artist Ernest Martin Hennings (American, 1886 - 1956)

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions45 1/4 x 43 1/4 inches (114.9 x 109.9 cm)
Frame: 53 1/2 × 51 × 3 1/4 inches (135.9 × 129.5 × 8.3 cm)

Credit LinePurchase of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, 1998

Object number31.32.56

ClassificationsPaintings

DescriptionVertical oil painting depicting a light-skinned woman wearing a purple, pink, and red dress and a brown hat. She rests one hand on a piece of furniture. Behind her hung on the wall is a mirror which has a gilded frame similar to the frame used for the painting itself.

Label TextThe artist’s wife, Helen Hennings, posed for this work and others during their happy marriage. She also managed her husband’s art career. Martin Hennings refers to ideas of art in this painting through the device of a mirror. Throughout history, artists have painted mirrors to show their expertise. Notice that the frame of the Hennings’ mirror is similar to the actual frame of the painting. The reflection seen in the mirror also includes portions of two other framed items, as if it were reflecting an art gallery. It appears that Martin Hennings wanted this painting shown in the company of other great paintings.

ProvenanceArtist; by inheritance to his daughter Helen Hennings Winton [1930 - 1990] and David B. Winton [c.1930 - 2007]; gifted December 23, 1992 to Museum of New Mexico Foundation; Cornell Norby after March 7, 1996; purchased July 15, 1998 through (Cornell Norby Fine Art, Cornell Norby, Newport Beach, California) by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art

On View

Not on view