Object Details
- Luce Center Label
- José de Creeft frequently traveled to the island of Mallorca, off the coast of Spain. On one of his trips, he met the actress Gertrude Lawrence and carved two portraits of her. This small sculpture combines part of Lawrence's face with two shells found on one of the island's beaches. Shells are often used to symbolize femininity, and de Creeft may have been suggesting that Lawrence had a beauty and immortality similar to the goddess Venus, who in classical myth was born of the sea.
- Luce Object Quote
- "If you like stones and carve them any stone will contain unlimited forms." José de Creeft, Arts, 1927
- Data Source
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Artist
- José de Creeft, born Guadalajara, Spain 1884-died New York City 1982
- Sitter
- Gertrude Lawrence
- Date
- 1931
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase
- Medium
- ceramic and shell
- Dimensions
- 9 x 4 1/2 x 4 1/8 in. (22.9 x 11.5 x 10.5 cm)
- Type
- Sculpture
