Object number1985.19.4

(Untitled)

Portfolio/Seriesfrom the series Inflammatory Essays

Date1979-1982

Artist Jenny Holzer (American, 1950-)

CultureAmerican

MediumCommercial offset lithograph in black ink on thin, wove yellow paper

EditionUnlimited edition

DimensionsSheet: 17 1/16 x 17 1/16 in. (43.34 x 43.34 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase

On View

Not on view

Period20th c

Classification(s)

InscribedOn verso, by unidentified hand, lower right corner in pencil: 85.19.4

ProvenancePurchased from Rhona Hoffman Gallery

Vassar Exhibitions

Presses, Pop, and Pomade: American Prints Since the Sixties

Exhibition HistoryPresses, Pop, and Pomade: American Prints Since the Sixties, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, January 13 - March 19, 2006
DescriptionBlack italic text against a yellow background reads: SNAKES ARE EVIL INCARNATE. / THEY ARE A MANIFESTATION OF / THE DARK SIDE OF NATURE. / THEY LIE TWINED IN DAMP / PLACES, THEIR BODIES COLD / TO THE TOUCH. THE FORM OF / THE SNAKE IS DREADFUL; THE / TONGUE AND WORM-BODY INSPIRE / LOATHING. THE SERPENT IS / SLY, HE ABIDES WHERE YOU / KNOW NOT. HE COMES CRAWLING / TO BITE AND POISON. HE HAS / MULTIPLIED SO HE INFESTS THE / FACE OF THE EARTH. HE IS / NOT CONTENT TO EXIST, HE / MUST CORRUPT THAT WHICH / IS PURE. THER APPEARANCE OF / THE SERPENT SIGNIFIES ALL / IS LOST. HE IS A SYMBOL / OF OUR FAILURE AND OUR FATE.

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu