Marcel Duchamp: A Personal Reflection on His 139th Birthday
On July 28, 2026, the blog Artspecialday published a personal reflection on Marcel Duchamp, born July 28, 1887. The author recounts first encountering Duchamp's L.H.O.O.Q. (1919) during a university lecture on Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, where the professor explained the French pun "Elle a chaud au cul" (she has a hot ass) as Duchamp's ironic commentary on the mystique surrounding the masterpiece. Later, the author stood before a fragment of Duchamp's The Large Glass (1915-1923) at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, describing the experience as transcendent. The piece concludes by forgiving Duchamp's irreverence toward Leonardo, recognizing his genius in mocking over-rationalization of art.
Key facts
- Marcel Duchamp was born on July 28, 1887.
- The article is published on Artspecialday on July 28, 2026.
- Duchamp's L.H.O.O.Q. (1919) adds a mustache and goatee to the Mona Lisa with the inscription L.H.O.O.Q.
- L.H.O.O.Q. pronounced in French means 'Elle a chaud au cul' (she has a hot ass).
- The author's professor interpreted Duchamp's work as suggesting the Mona Lisa's smile reflects Leonardo's self-satisfaction.
- The Large Glass (1915-1923) is described as an infinite work created over thirty years.
- The author viewed a fragment of The Large Glass at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
- The article references C. Subrizi's 'Introduzione a Duchamp' (Laterza, 2008) and 'I luoghi dell'Arte' (Electa, 2003).
Entities
Artists
- Marcel Duchamp
- Leonardo da Vinci
Institutions
- Centre Pompidou
- Artspecialday
- Laterza
- Electa
Locations
- Paris
- France