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Seeking a refuge from his New York City life, Wegman spent many summers in Maine, which he described as idyllic: “Nothing bad happens in Maine—a real Hardy Boys setting. The villains steal firewood or ride atv’s on private property or fish where they should not. Sometimes you encounter a grumpy ornery person who acts suspicious or who is suspicious. What’s there to do in Maine? You can read books and magazines. Paint. Draw. Take pictures. Fish. Hike. Listen to the loons.” Usually, Wegman photographed in the fall, when the bugs were fewer, and the birch and maple trees started to change color.
October 1981, Rangeley, Maine is a brightly colored dye transfer photograph set in the woods at the peak of fall foliage. A tall dark tree dominates the central axis, in front of which is the cleverly hidden and barely perceptible figure of Man Ray, covered with red, yellow, and green leaves. Above him is a sign bearing the legend:
State
Game Preserve
No hunting
Trapping or Firearms
—Allowed—
Inland Fisheries and
Game Department
The image is witty and also ironic, like much of Wegman’s work. Akin to many signs of this sort in northern New England, it has been used for target practice. As a breed, Weimaraners are known as working dogs, especially good for hunting. Here Man Ray, a prime specimen, is forbidden from hunting, and must be camouflaged. He patiently stands still, as he had for many photographs before this one, which was taken close to his death.
Notes:
[1] Wegman, Fay (New York: Hyperion, 1999), 22.
ProvenanceFrom 1984
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, given by the American Art Foundation through The Pace Gallery, New York on March 20, 1984. [1]
Notes:
[1] Letter, March 20, 1984, object file.
Exhibition History2006
Self/Image: Portraiture from Copley to Close
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC (8/30/2006-12/30/2006)
2023
Coexistence: Nature vs. Nurture
Reynolda House Museum of Amerian Art (4/7/2023 - 9/24/2023)
Published References
DepartmentAmerican Art
October 1981, Rangeley, Maine
Artist
William Wegman
(born 1943)
Date1982
Mediumcolor dye transfer
DimensionsFrame: 30 1/4 x 28 in. (76.8 x 71.1 cm)
Image: 19 1/2 x 19 in. (49.5 x 48.3 cm)
SignedWilliam Wegman
Credit LineGift of the American Art Foundation
Copyright© William Wegman
Object number1984.2.1.k
DescriptionWilliam Wegman immortalized Man Ray and his other Weimaraners through his lucid and clever photographs and videos. He invented a panoply of poses and characters, often using ingenious props and dressing up his dogs in crazy costumes imitative of human beings. Although sleek and elegant as a puppy, Man Ray filled out and became heftier as he aged. Respecting his “art partner,” Wegman more and more used camouflage and draping to disguise these physical changes.Seeking a refuge from his New York City life, Wegman spent many summers in Maine, which he described as idyllic: “Nothing bad happens in Maine—a real Hardy Boys setting. The villains steal firewood or ride atv’s on private property or fish where they should not. Sometimes you encounter a grumpy ornery person who acts suspicious or who is suspicious. What’s there to do in Maine? You can read books and magazines. Paint. Draw. Take pictures. Fish. Hike. Listen to the loons.” Usually, Wegman photographed in the fall, when the bugs were fewer, and the birch and maple trees started to change color.
October 1981, Rangeley, Maine is a brightly colored dye transfer photograph set in the woods at the peak of fall foliage. A tall dark tree dominates the central axis, in front of which is the cleverly hidden and barely perceptible figure of Man Ray, covered with red, yellow, and green leaves. Above him is a sign bearing the legend:
State
Game Preserve
No hunting
Trapping or Firearms
—Allowed—
Inland Fisheries and
Game Department
The image is witty and also ironic, like much of Wegman’s work. Akin to many signs of this sort in northern New England, it has been used for target practice. As a breed, Weimaraners are known as working dogs, especially good for hunting. Here Man Ray, a prime specimen, is forbidden from hunting, and must be camouflaged. He patiently stands still, as he had for many photographs before this one, which was taken close to his death.
Notes:
[1] Wegman, Fay (New York: Hyperion, 1999), 22.
ProvenanceFrom 1984
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, given by the American Art Foundation through The Pace Gallery, New York on March 20, 1984. [1]
Notes:
[1] Letter, March 20, 1984, object file.
Exhibition History2006
Self/Image: Portraiture from Copley to Close
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC (8/30/2006-12/30/2006)
2023
Coexistence: Nature vs. Nurture
Reynolda House Museum of Amerian Art (4/7/2023 - 9/24/2023)
Published References
Status
Not on view