Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Dolls & Masks

Meatyard’s staged images—set in abandoned spaces and often using masks and props—are at once familiar and enigmatic, reflecting the artist’s fascination with the uncanniness of ordinary life.

Black-and-white photograph of a person wearing a rubber mask seated on a slanted surface next to another mask

Black-and-white photograph of a person wearing a rubber mask seated in a rowboat on the grass holding up another mask

Black-and-white photograph of three children holding baby dolls and a woman holding a mask over her face

Black-and-white photograph of a boy in a mask standing under a gall of a tree

Black-and-white photograph of a woman in a mask standing in a doorway with a child in overalls on the lower left

Black-and-white photograph of a boy seated among felled tree branches containing three masks scattered within them

Black-and-white photograph of a headless mannequin positioned on the ground next to a small doll hovering above a tray

Black-and-white photograph of eyeless doll lying on a bed through the metal bedframe

Black-and-white photograph of an assortment of rubber masks and doll heads positioned on two pedestals in an overgrown garden

Black-and-white photograph of a couple in masks laying on the floor in embrace

Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Dolls & Masks

Meatyard’s staged images—set in abandoned spaces and often using masks and props—are at once familiar and enigmatic, reflecting the artist’s fascination with the uncanniness of ordinary life.

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1964

gelatin silver print, 11 x 9 inches (mount) [28 x 22.8 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1957-58

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1962

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1960

gelatin silver print, 6-3/4 x 5-1/2 inches (sheet) [17.2 x 14.0 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1968-69

gelatin silver print, 6-1/8 x 4-1/4 inches (sheet) [15.6 x 10.8 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1963

gelatin silver print, 13 x 10 inches (mount) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1960

gelatin silver print, 7-3/8 x 7-3/4 inches (sheet) [18.6 x 19.7 cm]

Ralph Eugene Meatyard#6 Laughter

ca. 1961

gelatin silver print, 11-1/8 x 9 inches (mount) [28.3 x 24.1 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardSurreal

1959

gelatin silver print, 7-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches (image) [20.0 x 25.1 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks standing against a hedgerow

Ralph Eugene Meatyard: The Family Album of Lucybelle Crater

The series presents portraits of the artist’s wife wearing a dime-store hag’s mask, paired with various family members and friends who wear a transparent hard-plastic mask. The titles of the images outline cryptic relationships, and in all instances, both figures are identified by the same name: Lucybelle Crater.

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks standing on the front steps of a brick home — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Lucybelle Crater and Eastern man’s friend Lucybelle Crater, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks standing in front of a wire fence — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, One of seven kids of Mertonian friend, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks seated before a small garden — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Lucybelle Crater and her regular mother Lucybelle Crater, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 11-1/2 x 9-5/8 inches (mount) [29.2 x 22.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks standing by an ajar wooden gate — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Lucybelle Crater and gnomist friend from W 6th St’s friend from Vassar College, Lucybelle Crater, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of an adult and child in rubber masks standing behind a clothesline with a few garments — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks standing next to a lattice-in porch of a brick building — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Lucybelle Crater and bibliophilic friend Lucybelle Crater, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 11-3/8 x 9-5/8 inches (mount) [28.8 x 24.5 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks seated on a low convertible car — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two people in rubber masks standing in front of a screened-in terrace — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Lucybelle Crater and her friend with a different Jargon, Lucybelle Crater, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a couple wearing rubber masks seated in the grass in front of a car — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Lucybelle Crater and her P.O. brother Lucybelle Crater, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and her 40 year old husband Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and Eastern man’s friend Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardOne of seven kids of Mertonian friend

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and her regular mother Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 11-1/2 x 9-5/8 inches (mount) [29.2 x 22.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and gnomist friend from W 6th St’s friend from Vassar College, Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and bibliophilic friend Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 11-3/8 x 9-5/8 inches (mount) [28.8 x 24.5 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and her friend with a different Jargon, Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardLucybelle Crater and her P.O. brother Lucybelle Crater

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Romances

A fervent reader, Meatyard was deeply influenced by the writer Ambrose Bierce’s definition in The Devil’s Dictionary: “ROMANCE, n. Fiction that owes no allegiance to the God of Things as They Are.”

Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1963

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount)

Black-and-white photograph of a young boy in a hooded sweatshirt looking through a door with missing panels from a decrepit room — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1960

gelatin silver print, 13 x 10 inches (mount) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Black and white photograph of young girl backlit by exterior light — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1966

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a young boy sitting in front of a shuttered loading dock — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, ca. 1955-56

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a person's slightly out-of-focus and shadowed face beneath a strand of twine coming through a window — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1960

gelatin-silver print, 6-1/4 x 6-1/2 inches (image & sheet) [15.9 x 16.5 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a young girl crawling through grass in a garden — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1960

gelatin-silver print, 13 x 10 inches (sheet) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a man standing next to a cracked mirror — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1960

gelatin silver print, 7-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches (sheet) [19.1 x 19.7 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a young boy in motion next to a blank white external wall — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, ca. 1954-56

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two figures seated in an attic room next to a square window — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, ca. 1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Black and white photograph of motion blurred individual in front of wood paneled wall — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1961

gelatin silver print, 7 x 6-1/2 inches (image & sheet) [17.8 x 16.5 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a young boy standing in a window frame — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1955

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1963

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount)

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin silver print, 13 x 10 inches (mount) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1966

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1955-56

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin-silver print, 6-1/4 x 6-1/2 inches (image & sheet) [15.9 x 16.5 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin-silver print, 13 x 10 inches (sheet) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin silver print, 7-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches (sheet) [19.1 x 19.7 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1954-56

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1961

gelatin silver print, 7 x 6-1/2 inches (image & sheet) [17.8 x 16.5 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1955

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a thin branching twig in focus against a blurred background

Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Zen

A meditative study of the mysterious forms of twigs and tree branches, inspired and informed by the artist’s deep study of Zen Buddhism.

Black-and-white photograph of dried buds on thing tree branches — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1964

gelatin silver print , 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of thin budding tree branches against a blurred background — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1959

gelatin silver print , 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a thin branch against a blurred background of trees and sky — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1961

gelatin silver print, 13 x 10 inches (mount) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a spiky bud at the tip of a thin curving branch on a blurred background of running water — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1964

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of two thin bare branches against a blurred background of pine branches — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1959

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a dried leaf impaled on a bare branch — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1960

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a thin zig-zagging bare branch — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, ca. 1957-58

gelatin silver print , 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 (sheet) [11.4 x 11.4 cm]

Black-and-white photograph of a bare twig with three prongs — Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Untitled, 1960

gelatin silver print , 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin silver print, 5-3/4 x 7 inches (image & sheet) [14.6 x 17.8 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1964

gelatin silver print , 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1959

gelatin silver print , 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1961

gelatin silver print, 13 x 10 inches (mount) [33.0 x 25.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1964

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1959

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

ca. 1957-58

gelatin silver print , 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 (sheet) [11.4 x 11.4 cm]

Ralph Eugene MeatyardUntitled

1960

gelatin silver print , 14 x 11 inches (mount) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

Square black-and-white photograph of light and shadow filtering through rippling water

Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Light on Water

Using movement to follow luminescent, broken reflections in water, the artist’s experimental photographs create a free-form effect similar to qualities of Abstract Expressionist paintings.