GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Classical Sculpture simplifies the female nude into a harmonious ovoid shape. The absence of appendages emphasizes the rhythmic curves of the body, and the bronze's sleek outlines create an idealized shape that is both subtly voluptuous and abstract in form. This sculpture is a conscious attempt by Jean Arp to emulate the forms of Greek art, re-imagining the contrapposto stance used by Greeks to depict a balanced, S-shaped body. Arp's sculptures, despite their avowed connections with surrealist dream mechanics, possess an elegance and simplicity of form.
Excerpt from
Heather MacDonald, DMA Label copy, 2010.
NOTES
Created in 1960
THIS SAYS IT'S CONTEMPORARY, NOT EUROPEAN
Arp's Sculpture Classique is a conscious attempt by a 20th century master to emulate the basic forms of Greek art. It is a remarkable parallel to the Greek statue, 2500 years after the classical piece was made. The contraposto curve of the Attic figure reappears in a purely abstract work. The same combination of s -curves that gave both movement and stability to the Greek figure are manipulated by Arp into a suave bronze sculpture that recreates an ideal human body in abstract shape.
Excerpt from
DMA thematic label copy, Ancient Mediterranean and European Art, nd, Education files.
Historical Attributions: Attributed to the Rudier Foundry. See attached correspondence between Haley Berkman and Kai Fischer.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Arp, Jean (French, 1886-1966)
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Bronze
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Guggenheim, New York~Learn more about the life and works of Jean Arp.
- SFMOMA~Read about the conservation of several Arp sculptures at the Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1966.13.FA
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
Classical Sculpture simplifies the female nude into a harmonious ovoid shape. The absence of appendages emphasizes the rhythmic curves of the body, and the bronze's sleek outlines create an idealized shape that is both subtly voluptuous and abstract in form. This sculpture is a conscious attempt by Jean Arp to emulate the forms of Greek art, re-imagining the contrapposto stance used by Greeks to depict a balanced, S-shaped body. Arp's sculptures, despite their avowed connections with surrealist dream mechanics, possess an elegance and simplicity of form.
Excerpt from
Heather MacDonald, DMA Label copy, 2010.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Guggenheim, New York~Learn more about the life and works of Jean Arp.
- SFMOMA~Read about the conservation of several Arp sculptures at the Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco.
Notes
Created in 1960
THIS SAYS IT'S CONTEMPORARY, NOT EUROPEAN
Arp's Sculpture Classique is a conscious attempt by a 20th century master to emulate the basic forms of Greek art. It is a remarkable parallel to the Greek statue, 2500 years after the classical piece was made. The contraposto curve of the Attic figure reappears in a purely abstract work. The same combination of s -curves that gave both movement and stability to the Greek figure are manipulated by Arp into a suave bronze sculpture that recreates an ideal human body in abstract shape.
Excerpt from
DMA thematic label copy, Ancient Mediterranean and European Art, nd, Education files.
Historical Attributions: Attributed to the Rudier Foundry. See attached correspondence between Haley Berkman and Kai Fischer.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Arp, Jean (French, 1886-1966)
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Bronze
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1966.13.FA
source file
object_notes_1_b-0115.xml.nores