Big Daddy Paper Doll
1970
May Stevens
American, 1924-2019
Contemporary Art
May Stevens has been a committed political activist throughout her long career. Her Big Daddy series began in response to her disappointment and anger over the Vietnam War. For Stevens, Big Daddy takes on aspects of both the personal and the political. Based on a portrait of her resolutely patriotic father, the obviously male figure is also reminiscent of President Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). Here, the figure’s bullet-shaped head exaggerates his phallic power and capacity for violence. However, by depicting him as a paper doll, to be dressed up as an executioner, decorated soldier, policeman, or butcher, Stevens ultimately strips Big Daddy of his patriarchal command.
- Maker/Artist
- Stevens, May
- Classification
- Painting
- Formatted Medium
- Acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions
- Canvas: 72 x 168 in. (182.9 x 426.7 cm): not framed
- Inscribed
- Inscriptions verso on strainers: "May Stevens/ Mau Stevens/ 97 Wooster Street/ New York 10012/ Title: Big Daddy Paper Doll. 1970/ Acrylic on canvas" in red paint.
- Departments
- Contemporary Art
- Accession Number
- 75.73
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. S. Zachary Swidler
- Exhibitions
- Burning Down the House: Building a Feminist Art Collection, SeductiveSubversion: Women Pop Artist, 1958–1968, Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties
- Rights Statement
- © artist or artist's estate
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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