Collages
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"Here now in sunny Eterniday I am remembering you-blessed Joyce-in a new light-the terror forgotten, for the time at least-in this golden moment."
In 1962 Cornell met Joyce Hunter, an 18-year old waitress who became the embodiment of his feminine ideal. However, their friendship ended in betrayal and tragedy. In September, 1964 Hunter was arrested for stealing nine boxes from Cornell's garage, and in December she was murdered in New York City.
Hunter's death devastated Cornell, and he memorialized her in his work. He surrounded a photograph of her with newspapers in French, German, and Dutch, perhaps suggesting that death removed her to a far-away place. To the left of her image, Cornell played on the French word "musée," or museum, by cutting off part of the second "e" so that it resembles the word "muse." On the back of the work, Cornell pasted an image of a knife, fork and spoon, referring to Hunter's job and the diner where he met her.
In 1962 Cornell met Joyce Hunter, an 18-year old waitress who became the embodiment of his feminine ideal. However, their friendship ended in betrayal and tragedy. In September, 1964 Hunter was arrested for stealing nine boxes from Cornell's garage, and in December she was murdered in New York City.
Hunter's death devastated Cornell, and he memorialized her in his work. He surrounded a photograph of her with newspapers in French, German, and Dutch, perhaps suggesting that death removed her to a far-away place. To the left of her image, Cornell played on the French word "musée," or museum, by cutting off part of the second "e" so that it resembles the word "muse." On the back of the work, Cornell pasted an image of a knife, fork and spoon, referring to Hunter's job and the diner where he met her.
