Marcel Duchamp, The Large Glass

Marcel Duchamp, The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass), oil, varnish, lead foil, lead wire, and dust on two glass panels, 277.5 × 177.8 × 8.6 cm © Estate of Marcel Duchamp (Philadelphia Museum of Art). Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

[@jtwsince1968]

This work is often studied in college courses in both art history and in aesthetic philosophy - this is a good summary. Duchamp was Formalist in aesthetic theory, it’s all about the design and abstract jokes. He was an insanely clever prankster

[@BalootyKat]

Cultivated his own lint is my favorite thing ever

[@wallybeery4058]

Would like to add that I actually enjoyed the narration. I usually don't in these sort of things, but in this case, it was informative and not overly 'academic' in tone and didn't spend any time in the 'obvious' (i.e. things that anyone with an interest in this piece would be likely to already know - unless they 'studied' it or whatever). I first encountered a smaller-scale version of this at the Yale Art Gallery and found myself drawn to it in fascination (probably during a day of skipping high-school LOL! But there were many days me and a couple of friends of mine would go there instead of school and I think it was time better spent quite frankly!). We were 'stoners', but happily before the word 'stoner' appeared in the popular lexicon. I dislike words like that - and there are far too many of them. I am 54 years old now. But anyway, for the people who produced this: "Nice work, y'all!".

[@carolyn2724]

lol "cultivated dust" i pictured him setting up dust farms around his house

[@allertonoff4]

navel duly scruitinized ;]

[@Agamemnon2]

That's one way to skive off doing the cleaning, I guess. "Not now, please, I'm cultivating dust."

[@allertonoff4]

my favorite art analysis channel !

[@StephenS-2024]

You got the word-play! Thought you would miss that. Well done. I'm going to go grind some chocolate now.

[@emmalai5415]

Thanks for making this video!

[@hrlaser]

IMO, this is the sibgle most enigmatic and important work of art of the 20th century..

[@Sasha0927]

What a mic-drop moment and surprise at the end - I love the spelling of his name that way! I also love that he was undaunted by the glass being broken. He put it back together and installed it in a museum. I'm just one of countless people who're grateful he made that decision. It's a good reminder not to give up. :) Duchamp sounds like quite the character. Where artists go, I'm very interested in learning more about his art style and the thought processes that went into them.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Sasha - I have wanted to thank you for sharing your wonderful, thoughtful comments as you journey through our content. We were wondering if you would you be interested in writing a few words that we might share with our board. Why you undertook this project, what it has meant to you, and what you have discovered. If so, or if you have questions, please reach out to me or Beth via email at [e-mail] and [e-mail].

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistory-art-history 🥺 My love for Smarthistory knows no limit. I'd be very interested - and honored - to share my thoughts with your board. Consider it done. I'll email it to you both. ❤️

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Wonderful! We are very appreciative.

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistory-art-history Likewise. 🥰 I just sent the email and hope it helps.

[@allertonoff4]

and the glue .. for the dust .. one might contemplate the oxidization, relative temporal pigmentational elements.

[@SaccidanandaSadasiva]

I grew up with Marcel Duchamp and John Cage.

[@MrCraigmef]

tell me a story, what was he like

[@jennifs6868]

Mar i Cel= Sea and Sky. Lovely name, fascinating guy!

[@EndOfEntertainment]

Cool stuff :)

[@JohnMorton721]

No mention of how "grinding chocolate" was a euphemism for masturbation?

[@olivernilsson3361]

Where can I read about this?

[@tonymostromable]

and excretion

[@tonymostromable]

exactly

[@timothyhill1149]

don't think reason led to war or that a world was being made ever its all about history , causal i suggest hume and latham

[@tonymostromable]

I don't get it either, and you're right, art writers always trot out that "rationality produced WWI" line as if it weren't ridiculous.

[@antipyrene]

We are but Bower Birds, murderous Bower Birds...

[@johnconn982]

A true jokester. He created nonsense and everyone ( ?) working hard to figure out nonsense. Cheeses.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

He is a joker but Duchamp's work is not nonsense, nor should it be dismissed out of hand if you have a real interest in understanding art of the 20th century. It's extremely thoughtful, but also at times very funny and quite clever.

[@johnconn982]

@@smarthistory-art-history don’t get my wrong, I admire him greatly , but when I listen to people explaining (? ) the “ large glass” I’m puzzled when they talk about all the parts yet avoid explaining what it means. Can you give me some insight? I would welcome your thoughts if they are serious and not just needing to argue a point .