Smithsonian Collections
Renata Borgatti, Au Piano
- Data Source
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Exhibition Label
- Renata Borgatti, au Piano marked an important transition for Brooks. It is the earliest painting in which an identified female sitter displays an androgynous style that deliberately subverts gender norms and so inaugurates the artist's exploration of heroic lesbian identity. Borgatti was a professional pianist with whom Brooks began a brief affair while living on the island of Capri. Here Brooks returned to the theme she explored in Le Piano, but now presented woman as the producer rather than consumer of musical artistry.
- The Art of Romaine Brooks, 2016
- Artist
- Romaine Brooks, born Rome, Italy 1874-died Nice, France 1970
- Sitter
- Renata Borgatti
- Date
- 1920
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 55 7/8 x 74 1/4 in. (141.8 x 188.7 cm.)
- Type
- Painting
- See more items in
- Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
- Department
- Painting and Sculpture
- Object number
- 1968.18.13
- Topic
- Performing arts\music\piano
- Portrait female
