The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 18, 2024

The Crystal Ball

The Crystal Ball

1931
(French, 1894–1986)
France, 20th century
gelatin silver print, toned
Image: 23.7 x 30 cm (9 5/16 x 11 13/16 in.); Paper: 24.2 x 30 cm (9 1/2 x 11 13/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 2007.149
Photograph by Jacques Henri Lartigue © Ministère de la Culture - France / AAJHL
Location: not on view

Description

Holding this symbol of divination and future sight is Reneé Perle, Lartigue’s lover and muse from 1930-32. Through reflection, the ball makes visible some of the elements that were behind the camera.
  • December 21, 2000
    (Étude Tajan, Paris Dec. 21, 2000, no. 69, sold to David Raymond)
    2001-2007
    David Raymond [b.1979], New York, NY
    2007-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, Tom E. Hinson, Ian Walker, and Lisa Kurzner. Forbidden Games: Surrealist and Modernist Photography : the David Raymond Collection in the Cleveland Museum of Art. 2014. Reproduced: p. 6-7, no. 3; reproduced and mentioned: p. 216
    Schneede, Uwe M. Begierde im Blick: surrealistische Photographie. Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje Cantz, 2005. Reproduced: p. 103
  • Crystals in Art: Ancient to Today. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR (organizer) (October 12, 2019-January 6, 2020).
    Forbidden Games: Surrealist and Modernist Photography. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 19, 2014-January 11, 2015).
    Begierde im Blick: Surrealistische Fotografie. Hamburger Kunsthalle (May 11-29, 2009).
  • {{cite web|title=The Crystal Ball|url=false|author=Jacques-Henri Lartigue|year=1931|access-date=18 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2007.149