Image of the Week 004

Marcel Duchamp's last major work—Étant donnés(Given: 1. The Waterfall; 2. The Illuminating Gas), 1944-66—is a tableau, visible through two peep holes in a wooden door. It is rife with symbolism of the four elements: the spring refers to water, in which gestating life takes form and is nourished; the headless goddess is an allusion to Mother Earth; and the oil lamp alludes to alchemical fire, both life-giving and destructive.

Side view of the tableau.

Looking through the peepholes.