Untitled (Compartmented Box)

by Joseph Cornell

Artist Joseph Cornell (USA, 1903 - 1972)

Alternate Title

Utan titel (låda med fack)

Date1954-1956

MediumBox construction

Dimensions38,7 x 26 x 6,2 cm

ClassificationSculptures

Credit LinePurchase 1980 funded by The Lovén Foundation, The Ettler Foundation, The Personne Foundation and with contribution from Gustaf Douglas

Countries

United States

On view

Stockholm

RoomGallery 01:4

Object NumberMOMSK 58

About the artworkA box with 25 small compartments under a sheet of glass. A small cabinet, to be hung on the wall. In each compartment a ball and a dark portrait of a handsome renaissance youth. The box is the secret, a capsule, a memory. A tradition from the laterna magica, jewellery boxes, miniature portraits; from the panopticon, peep-shows, light-boxes, or, why not, TV sets and computers. The technique is based on enclosing - and displaying. Inside the box is a miniature universe. An enchanted world. Joseph Cornell's magic is white. He has been creating surrealistically inspired collages since the early 1930s. But he lacks the surrealists' fascination for psychology and subconscious sexuality. His world is spiritual - like a divine myth.
Signatures, inscriptions and marks Påskrift på den övre listens insida: "1/2 = ball in each compartment" och "1/2 = ball each (wooden) compartment" Selected exhibition history Internationell Surrealism (1998) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Moderna Museet c/o Bildmuseet - Dada och surrealism (2003) Bildmuseet, Umeå Moderna Museets samling i ny presentation (1998-2000) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Den underjordiska himlen. Surrealism i Moderna Museets samling Moderna Museet, Stockholm Surrealism, samlingen (den 19 oktober 2024 - den 18 januari 2026) Moderna Museet, Stockholm

Works by the artist