Words and Music of Two Hemispheres

Currently not on view

Words and Music of Two Hemispheres

c. 1938

Francis Criss (American (born England), 1901–1973)

Francis Criss was born in London, but grew up in Philadelphia, where he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Barnes Foundation. By 1932, he had his first solo show at the Contemporary Arts Gallery (New York), and was chosen to participate in the First Biennial Exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. As exemplified in this painting, Criss favored the vivid hues and flat, two-dimensional planes of Cubism to depict New York City, especially its buildings, elevated subways, and billboards.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Words and Music of Two Hemispheres

Date:

c. 1938

Artist:

Francis Criss (American (born England), 1901–1973)

Medium:

Oil on Masonite

Dimensions:

14 1/8 × 18 9/16 inches (35.9 × 47.1 cm) Frame: 20 1/2 × 24 1/2 × 1 3/4 inches (52.1 × 62.2 × 4.4 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Gift of Dr. Herman Lorber, 1944

Accession Number:

1944-95-1

Geography:

Made in United States, North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view