Skip to Main Content

Open today: 10am-5pm

1913

Yvonne Duchamp, Full-Face

Jacques Villon (Gaston Duchamp)

French, 1875 - 1963

Of the three monumental drypoint portraits of his sister Yvonne, this is the one in which Villon used the most radical application of his system of constructing space and volumes of pyramidal shapes. This system was based on Villon's reading of Leonardo da Vinci's Treatise on Painting. Here, his method of dividing the composition into geometric segments of various shapes allows the almost seamless merging of the figure and the background. Although the sitter's head and body may still clearly be discerned in the patchwork of shapes, they may equally be read as part and parcel of their surroundings.

This record is part of an ongoing effort to share accurate and evolving information. If you notice anything we should improve, we welcome your feedback at [email protected]

Images on this site are shared for educational use. For image rights, permissions, or to learn more about image rights and access, email [email protected]

Jacques Villon (Gaston Duchamp), Yvonne Duchamp, Full-Face, 1913 | Philadelphia Art Museum