Skip to main content

Harp Drawing

Artist/Maker (Puerto Rican, 1954–1986)
Date1983
MediumColored pencil and grease pencil overlay on paper
DimensionsOverall: 29 11/16 × 21 11/16 in. (75.4 × 55.1 cm)
Credit LineFriends of Art Endowment Fund
Object number1983.129
Status
On view
Copyright© Estate of René SantosMore Information
Often based on photographs or images appropriated from media, René Santos’s compositions explore themes ranging from religiosity to pop culture. Harp Drawing is one in a series of works veiled by fine, vertical red bars resembling harp strings. The traditional biblical subject of St. Jerome in his study is updated to include a bottle of Coca-Cola on the suit-clad scholar’s desk, in addition to the usual books and skull.

Part of New York City’s vibrant 1980s art scene, Santos died from AIDS in 1986. His work is now promoted by Visual AIDS, an organization committed to AIDS awareness and HIV prevention through the funding of art projects. Visual AIDS was co-founded in 1988 by William Olander, former AMAM curator of modern and contemporary art, who oversaw the acquisition of Harp Drawing.
Exhibition History
Drawings: After Photography
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (August 28, 1984 - October 14, 1984 )
  • Mitchell Museum, Mount Vernon, IL (December 1, 1984 - January 2, 1985 )
  • Aspen Center for the Visual Arts, Aspen, CO (May 23, 1985 - July 7, 1985 )
  • DeCordova and Dana Museum and Park, Lincoln, M (September 21, 1985 - November 10, 1985 )
  • University of the South, Sewannee, TN (March 31, 1986 - May 2, 1986 )
Latin American and Latino Art at the Allen
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (September 2, 2014 - June 28, 2015 )
The Body, The Host: HIV / AIDS and Christianity
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 20, 2024 - December 15, 2024 )
Collections
  • Modern & Contemporary
  • On View
This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator. Noticed a mistake? Have some extra information about this object? Please contact us.
Figurine
6th–8th century
Tripod Vessel (incensario)
6th–10th century
Animal Effigy Vessel
6th–8th century
Rana Effigy Jar
11th to mid-16th century