The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)! A Surrealist Exploration of Desire and Frustration

Jasper Johns, with his enigmatic works that blurred the lines between representation and abstraction, forever changed the landscape of American art in the mid-20th century. While he is perhaps best known for his iconic depictions of flags and targets, another artist deserves equal recognition: Joseph Cornell.

Cornell, a self-taught artist who spent most of his life in Queens, New York, carved a unique niche for himself within the Surrealist movement. Unlike the overtly Freudian imagery often associated with Surrealism, Cornell’s work was characterized by a quiet melancholic beauty and an obsessive fascination with found objects and ephemera.

One masterpiece that encapsulates Cornell’s artistic vision is “The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)”. Created between 1915 and 1927, this sprawling assemblage stands as a testament to his meticulous craftsmanship and haunting exploration of desire, frustration, and the elusive nature of love.

Deconstructing a Dream: The Structure and Symbolism

“The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)” is not your typical painting. Measuring 6 feet tall and 12 feet wide, it’s a hybrid artwork comprised of glass panels, wire mesh, paint, sand, ink, and a dizzying array of found objects – buttons, combs, playing cards, postage stamps, toy figurines – meticulously arranged within delicate compartments. This intricate network of objects creates a dreamlike landscape, where the boundary between the real and the imagined blurs.

At the heart of the piece lies the image of a “bride” - represented by a fragmented silhouette composed of wire and sand. Above her, hovering like ethereal guardians, are nine “bachelors” – glass rods topped with sculpted figures. These bachelors seem perpetually frozen in their pursuit of the bride, unable to bridge the physical chasm that separates them.

The symbolism embedded within the work is rich and multilayered. The bride, often interpreted as a symbol of unattainable desire, remains shrouded in mystery. Her fragmented form suggests both fragility and an ethereal otherworldly presence.

The bachelors, on the other hand, represent the various aspects of male desire: ambition, obsession, frustration, and ultimately, impotence. They are forever gazing upwards, yearning for connection but forever separated from their object of affection by a seemingly impassable gulf.

Beyond the Obvious: Cornell’s Unconventional Narrative

Cornell’s “The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)” is not simply a depiction of frustrated desire; it’s an exploration of the complex psychological landscape that underlies human relationships. The work invites viewers to engage in a multifaceted dialogue, prompting them to question the nature of love, longing, and the unattainable ideal.

Cornell skillfully employs juxtapositions – the delicate fragility of the bride’s form against the robust presence of the bachelors; the ethereal beauty of glass and sand juxtaposed with the mundane quality of buttons and combs – to create a tension that underscores the complexities of human desire.

Furthermore, Cornell eschews traditional narrative structure. Instead, he presents us with a fragmented tableau, inviting viewers to construct their own interpretations and meanings from the myriad of visual elements. This open-endedness allows for a deeply personal engagement with the artwork, encouraging reflection on our own experiences with love, loss, and yearning.

Lasting Legacy: Cornell’s Influence on Contemporary Art

“The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)” stands as a monumental achievement in 20th-century art. Its unique combination of Surrealist imagery, meticulous craftsmanship, and enigmatic symbolism has influenced generations of artists.

Cornell’s pioneering use of found objects paved the way for subsequent movements like Pop Art and Conceptual Art. His willingness to embrace fragmentation and ambiguity challenged conventional notions of representation and narrative, opening up new possibilities for artistic expression.

Today, “The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass)” remains a captivating and enigmatic work that continues to fascinate and provoke. Its enduring legacy lies not only in its aesthetic brilliance but also in its profound exploration of the human condition – our relentless pursuit of connection, the bittersweet nature of desire, and the constant struggle to reconcile reality with our dreams.