Large Smallpox
British artist Luke Jerram conceived Large Smallpox as part of Glass Microbiology, an ongoing series that portrays deadly viruses and bacteria as fragile and beautiful hand-blown glass objects. As its title suggests, this work is a greatly enlarged representation of the fatal Smallpox virus, which was responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of people before being all but eradicated thanks to a global vaccination effort in the twentieth century. The object presents a rare physical form to this notorious microscopic organism, drawing attention and admiration to its fascinating biological design. The clear glass also appropriately reflects the absence of color in the microbes. Indeed, because of the artist’s attention to detail of each virus’s genetic structure as well as the jewel-like beauty of the final work, images of Jerram’s sculptures in this series—including HIV and Ebola—have appeared in science text books and medical journals.
Artwork Details
- Title: Large Smallpox
- Artist: Luke Jerram (British, born Stroud, 1974)
- Date: 2010
- Medium: Glass and frosted glass
- Edition: 5/5
- Dimensions: 9 1/2 × 6 1/4 in., 2.5 lb. (24.1 × 15.9 cm, 1143.065g)
- Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of Susan W. Schwartz, 2013
- Object Number: 2013.580
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
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