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Photography by Edward C. Robison III

My Uncle Whiskey's Bad Habit

Leaving little doubt about its name, My Uncle Whiskey’s Bad Habit is meant to be eye-catching. The bold red sunburst of a chewing tobacco package weaves in front of and behind all the so-called vices: drugs, alcohol, sex, and fast cars. Positioned alongside a sobering cross with the work’s title, the painting becomes a cautionary tale about the dangers of overconsumption in modern society.

ArtistAllan D'Arcangelo, 1930–1998
Date1962
MediumAcrylic on canvas
Dimensions52 1/2 x 46 3/8 x 2 1/4 in.
Signedl.c.: D'ARCANGELO 62
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2014.1
ClassificationPainting
Provenanceto Private Collection, New York; by descent to Private Collection; to (Christie's, New York, NY), May 16, 2013, sale 2786, lot 224; purchased by (Barbara Mathes Gallery, New York, NY), 2013; purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2014
On ViewNo
My Uncle Whiskey's B…52.5 × 46.4 in.Tennis Ball2.7 in. diameter

This artwork's face covers about 334× the area of a tennis ball.Drawn to the same scale.