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Katharine Cornell by Malvina Hoffman / American Art
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Katharine Cornell

1961 Malvina Hoffman Born: New York, New York 1885 Died: New York, New York 1966 bronze on plastic covered wood base 21 x 9 5/8 x 10 in. (53.3 x 24.4 x 25.4 cm.) Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of the Charles Lamson Hoffman Family 1985.73.5 Smithsonian American Art Museum
4th Floor, Luce Foundation Center



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Katharine Cornell



Katharine Cornell’s father managed a theater in Buffalo, and when Katharine was a child she wrote and performed plays for her family and friends. In her twenties, she wrote a play, and the director suggested she try acting. Her career flourished and she toured the United States several times, drawing large audiences and critical acclaim. She favored dramatic roles and had a “fiery” stage presence, which she credited to her stage fright, claiming it caused her to work even harder. Here, Malvina Hoffman shows Cornell with an intense downward gaze and voluminous, manelike hair, capturing the dramatic flair the actress was known for.

For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.


Keywords

Performing arts - theater - performer

Portrait female - Cornell, Katherine - bust

sculpture

metal - bronze

plastic

wood

About Malvina Hoffman

Born: New York, New York 1885 Died: New York, New York 1966

More works in the collection by
Malvina Hoffman

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