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King Penguin

Object Details

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Paul Manship’s large figural groups are idealized and refer to mythic characters and stories. The artist used the same stylization in his animal sculptures as in his figural groups, but to different effect. In an intimate scale, this stylization accentuates the decorative quality of each animal. By exaggerating certain features or expressions, Manship also lets a little bit of their personalities peek through. This is especially visible in his gilded works, where the gold patina highlights the contours of the animal’s forms and their precise surface details. Many of Manship’s animal sculptures were originally created as part of his design for the gates of New York’s Bronx Zoo.
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Artist
Paul Manship, born St. Paul, MN 1885-died New York City 1966
Angelo Colombo, Italian, n.d.
Founder
Priessmann Bauer & Co.
Date
1932
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist
Medium
gilded bronze on lapis lazuli base
Dimensions
11 3/4 x 5 x 4 1/2 in. (29.9 x 12.8 x 11.5 cm)
Type
Sculpture

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