Funeral Rites
Artist
John O'Reilly
(American, 1930–2021)
Datepublished 1967, O'Reilly additions 1976
Mediumbook with additions of embossed white pages and collaged bookmarks
Dimensionsopen: 22 × 58 × 3 cm (8 11/16 × 22 13/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
ClassificationsBooks
Credit LineChapin Riley Fund at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Terms
Object number2018.4
Label TextJean Genet’s Funeral Rites is a semi-autobiographical eulogy to his lover—also named Jean—who was killed by a German soldier during the last days of World War II. The novel’s structure hinges on conflict. Genet forms sexual relationships with two Nazis, betraying both his country and former lover. Funeral Rites uses Genet’s position as a gay, sexual outsider to explore the nature of men and the governments that send them to war. O’Reilly’s additions include bookmarks of Hitler and images of embossed penises that have been tipped-in throughout the novel.On View
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