Daniel Chester FrenchAmerican, 1850–1931Narcissa
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Narcissa” now? Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 19B, Washington, D.C. Yes, on view now. Checked September 25, 2026.
Washington, D.C., United States
RoomLuce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 19B
Open now· until 7:00 PM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
Narcissa is one of many female nudes that Daniel Chester French produced during his long career. He based it on the Greek myth of the god Narcissus, who spurned the love of others and was so self-centered that the gods forced him to gaze endlessly at his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to turn away from his image, Narcissus perished, and the gods turned him into the flower that bears his name. In French’s version, the woman holds a bowl of water that mirrors her face while she reaches up to touch the narcissus in her hair.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 1929.8.509
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Image: Smithsonian American Art Museum — CC0
