The Solidity of the Road to Metaphor and Memory
Object Details
- Luce Center Label
- The inscription “Neutrality Agreement” on the back of this painting implies that the image is about America’s involvement in Europe’s growing conflicts. It shows three strange figures, shaking hands across a train track. The person on the left thinks he is holding the hand of the figure directly opposite, when he is actually making a deal with the headless creature behind. This, together with the train tracks that lead nowhere, suggests that the “agreement” is a farce and holds no true meaning. Misha Reznikoff saw firsthand the devastation and misery of World War I during his childhood in Russia. This cast of surreal characters suggests that he saw no sincerity in the “deals” made between world leaders.
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Peter and Michael Reznikoff
- Data Source
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Date
- 1934
- Object number
- 1993.20
- Artist
- Misha Reznikoff, born Kabilia, Russia 1905-died New York City 1971
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Painting
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 30 1/2 x 40 3/8 in. (77.5 x 102.6 cm.)
- See more items in
- Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
- Department
- Painting and Sculpture
- On View
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 38B
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor
- Topic
- Figure group
- Fantasy
- Architecture\industry\railroad yard
- Literature\Cummings
- Record ID
- saam_1993.20
