Artwork Page for Head of Beethoven

Details / Information for Head of Beethoven

Head of Beethoven

1891

Emile Antoine Bourdelle

(French, 1861–1929)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
bronze
Measurements
Overall: 59.2 x 42 x 52.1 cm (23 5/16 x 16 9/16 x 20 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Carrie Moss Halle in memory of Salmon Portland Halle 1960.82
Public Domain
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Location
218 European Sculpture
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Description

A pioneer of modern sculpture, Antoine Bourdelle studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and worked as an assistant to Augustin Rodin, who greatly admired the younger artist’s work. In 1888 Bourdelle produced the first of a series of sculptural portraits of Ludwig van Beethoven, in which the artist orchestrated powerful billowing shapes to convey the creative spirit or genius of the composer. The artist inscribed a quote from Beethoven in the lower left: “My domain is the air; when the wind rises my soul swirls.”
A bronze sculpture depicts a head emerging from a large, swirling mass of dark, textured metal. The face tilts downward and to our right with a deeply furrowed brow and downcast eyes. The sculpture sits on a stepped, rectangular base. On our left, the base features an inscription in French and the name "Beethoven." The rough surface is dark with areas of green patina throughout.

Head of Beethoven

1891

Emile Antoine Bourdelle

(French, 1861–1929)
France, 19th century

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