Europa and Calf

Copied David Smith, Europa and Calf, 1956-1957, bronze/poured and hammered on stone base, 11 3⁄8 x 9 5⁄8 x 3 5⁄8 in. (29.0 x 24.3 x 9.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1978.30

Artwork Details

Title
Europa and Calf
Artist
Date
1956-1957
Location
Dimensions
11 3⁄8 x 9 5⁄8 x 3 5⁄8 in. (29.0 x 24.3 x 9.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze/poured and hammered on stone base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
  • Figure female — nude
  • Animal — cattle
  • Mythology — classical — Europa
Object Number
1978.30
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1978.30

Artwork Description

David Smith poured and hammered drops of molten bronze to build up the abstract shapes in Europa and Calf. The sculpture’s title recalls the Greek myth of Europa, in which Zeus transformed himself into a white bull and kidnapped the young woman while she was gathering flowers. Although this sculpture is abstract, the overall shape resembles a horned creature standing on two legs with something in its arms. The clustered drops of bronze retain their molten shapes, as if the artist had just finished manipulating the hot metal to form this strange figure.

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