The Polka Dot Dress

Object Details

Date
1927
Artist
George Luks, born Williamsport, PA 1866-died New York City 1933
Luce Center Label
George Luks depicted a working-class woman looking regal in her polka-dot dress, white gloves, and flowered hat. She wears her finery proudly as if to defy anyone who might look down on her. Luks felt at home in the slums of New York and often commented on the honesty and humility of workers. His portraits and genre scenes insisted on the humanity of people on the margins of society. As one Harper’s Weekly critic wrote, “. . . fearless good nature and a genuine tenderness . . . help make George Luks’ paintings about as vital an art as one can imagine.” (O’Toole, George Luks: An American Artist, 1987)
Topic
Dress\accessory\hat
Figure female\full length
Dress\accessory\glove
Dress\accessory\handbag
Object\furniture\chair
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 34B
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Howard Weingrow
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Object number
1969.148
Type
Painting
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
58 x 37 in. (147.4 x 94.0 cm)
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk70692805b-d06c-4561-9b05-e2fc39fc4085
Record ID
saam_1969.148