Discus Thrower (from the Body and Soul series)
Photograph, Cibachrome/Dye destruction print • Andres Serrano
Style & Movement
Contemporary Art, Postmodernism
Medium & Technique
Cibachrome print from a 35mm transparency; utilizes a blur technique through long exposure or shallow focus to deconstruct the classical form.
Creation Period
1990
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 30 inches (image), portrait format, housed in a contemporary light wood frame with a white window mat.
Subject Description
The image features a blurred, silhouetted figure in the iconic pose of Myron\'s Discobolus (Discus Thrower). The figure is submerged or viewed through a liquid medium (implied to be bodily fluids, consistent with Serrano\'s broader themes), set against an intense, monochromatic golden-yellow background. It addresses themes of classical beauty, the physical body, and the sacred versus the profane.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the colors remain vibrant and the surface shows no visible degradation such as fading or chemical spotting characteristic of poorly stored Cibachromes.
Estimated Market Value
USD $15,000 - $25,000
Auction Estimate
USD $12,000 - $18,000
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a contemporary art gallery or direct museum acquisition (as evidenced by the exhibition wall label). Part of the larger 'Body and Soul' series exhibited internationally.
Art Historical Significance
Serrano is a pivotal figure in the Late 20th-century 'Culture Wars.' This work represents a shift from his more controversial 'Immersions' series (e.g., Piss Christ) toward a more formalist investigation of classical sculpture, though still utilizing his signature material provocations.
Notable Features
The use of saturated yellow hues provides a 'glow' that mimic high-period religious icons, contrasting with the soft, indistinct edges of the human form.
Condition Issues
None visible. Potential long-term concerns for Cibachrome prints include light sensitivity and potential silver mirroring if exposed to high humidity.
Conservation Recommendations
Display under UV-filtering glass or acrylic. Maintain stable humidity (40-50%) and low-level lighting (50 lux) to prevent fading of the dye layers.