Alec Francis
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Laura Dreyfus Barney and Natalie Clifford Barney in memory of their mother, Alice Pike Barney
Accession Number
1951.14.26
Tags
Art Historical Context
Alice Pike Barney's *Alec Francis* (1927) is a compelling drawing that captures the likeness of a performer in a classic bust format, highlighting the subject's expressive features from the shoulders up. Created during the vibrant cultural scene of the 1920s, this work reflects Barney's skill as a portraitist, emphasizing the performing arts through its poised and theatrical subject. Alec Francis, likely an actor or stage personality, embodies the era's fascination with theater and celebrity, making this piece a window into early 20th-century American entertainment culture. Rendered in drawin...