Trap
| Artist | Marcel Duchamp (French, 1887–1968) |
|---|---|
| Title | Trap (Trébuchet) |
| Date | 1964 edition (after 1917 original) |
| Medium | Wood and metal coat rack |
| Dimensions | Overall: 7 7/16 x 39 3/8 x 4 3/4 in. (18.9 x 100 x 12.1 cm) |
| Credit Line | Partial gift of Mrs. William H. Conroy, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 71.37.9 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A wooden coat rack with four metal triple curved hooks set flat on its back so that it does not function as a wall mounted coat rack.
In addition to rendering objects‘ intended functions useless, Duchamp often imbued his readymades with a sense of humor. Trap, a coat rack which he nailed to the floor of his studio in 1917, poses a literal tripping hazard to anyone walking in its vicinity.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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Cite this page
"Trap | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=71.37.9