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AutoPolaroid

Lucas Samaras American, born Greece
1970
Not on view
When he acquired his first Polaroid camera, a 360 Land Camera, in late 1969, Samaras made hundreds of images in a matter of months, most of which are self-portraits: "I like remaking myself in photography". The Polaroid offered instant return; images were delivered in a matter of seconds in the comfort of the artist’s home/studio. Many of Samaras’s AutoPolaroids are enhanced with hand-applied ink, as here, where stippled marks surround multiple images of the martyred artist. "I was raised up by a very religious family," he recalled, "The nailing on the cross."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: AutoPolaroid
  • Artist: Lucas Samaras (American (born Greece), Kastoria 1936–2024 New York)
  • Date: 1970
  • Medium: Instant dye diffusion transfer print (Polaroid) with hand-applied ink
  • Dimensions: Image: 3 9/16 × 2 7/8 in. (9 × 7.3 cm)
  • Classification: Photographs
  • Credit Line: Gift of the artist, 2014
  • Object Number: 2014.40.13
  • Rights and Reproduction: © Estate of Lucas Samaras
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
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John Sloan
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Study for "Lucas", Chuck Close  American, Instant dye diffusion transfer print (polaroid) with blue ink, black ink, opaque watercolor, and masking tape on foamcore
Chuck Close
1987
Photo-Transformation, Lucas Samaras  American, born Greece, Instant internal dye diffusion transfer print (Polaroid SX-70)
Lucas Samaras
November 30, 1973
Necklace, Meta Overbeck  American, Gold, emeralds, Montana sapphires, topazes, enamel, American
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Louis C. Tiffany
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