Object Details
Artist
Arthur Swoger, 23 Sep 1912 - 16 Mar 2000
Sitter
Elaine de Kooning, 12 Mar 1918 - 1 Feb 1989
Frank O'Hara, 27 Jun 1926 - 25 Jul 1966
Franz Kline, 23 May 1910 - 13 May 1962
Exhibition Label
During the 1950s, when New York City became the center of the art world, the Cedar Tavern in Greenwich Village was the preferred meeting spot for the city’s avant-garde artists, writers, and musicians. The artist Elaine de Kooning was at the very heart of it; although, later in life, she noted that she “didn’t know then that I had somehow made my way to the red-hot center.” New York was indeed a cultural capital. This photograph depicts de Kooning at a café table with two good friends, the poet Frank O’Hara (left) and the painter Franz Kline (right). O’Hara appears to react to something de Kooning has said, as he lifts his right hand up against his cheek.
En la década de 1950, cuando Nueva York se convirtió en el centro del arte, el bar Cedar Tavern de Greenwich Village era el lugar preferido de encuentro para los artistas, escritores y músicos de vanguardia. La pintora Elaine de Kooning estuvo en medio de todo, aunque más tarde comentaría que “en ese momento no sabía que había logrado llegar al centro candente de la acción”. Nueva York era, en efecto, una capital cultural. En esta foto aparece De Kooning en una mesa con dos buenos amigos, el poeta Frank O’Hara (izquierda) y el pintor Franz Kline (derecha). O’Hara parece reaccionar a algo que ha dicho De Kooning mientras se lleva la mano derecha a la mejilla.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Date
May 20, 1957
Object number
NPG.2002.100
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Estate of Arthur Swoger
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image/Sheet: 19.7 x 18.9cm (7 3/4 x 7 7/16")
Place
United States\New York\Kings\New York
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Interior
Home Furnishings\Drinking vessel\Glass
Equipment\Smoking Implements\Cigarette
Equipment\Smoking Implements\Ashtray
Baggage & Luggage\Bag\Purse
Franz Kline: Male
Franz Kline: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Artist\Painter
Franz Kline: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Artist\Abstract Expressionist
Elaine de Kooning: Female
Elaine de Kooning: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Artist\Painter
Frank O'Hara: Male
Frank O'Hara: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer\Poet
Frank O'Hara: Arts and Culture\Journalism and Media\Magazine editor
Frank O'Hara: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer\Playwright
Frank O'Hara: Arts and Culture\Visual Arts\Curator
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2002.100