David HammonsAmerican, 1943American Costume
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “American Costume” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
What intially appears to be a drawing or a print deriving from an incised plate or a marked surface is in actuality a direct impression of the artist's own body with thumbprints. Addressing race and identity in this image, Hammons depicts an individual clearly not of European descent. The distorted facial features and the distinctive textures of the hair and dress imbue the portrait with an exaggerated "primitiveness," which engage widely held stereotypes. The juxataposition of the title with the image creates a tension, speaking to the then expanding definition of what being an American meant and who it included.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Details
- Accession number
- 1997.111
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — © the artist or rights holder
