African Elephant Scenting Danger

Copied Eli Harvey, African Elephant Scenting Danger, after 1926, bronze, 31 5828 348 14 in. (80.272.920.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1948.9.1

Artwork Details

Title
African Elephant Scenting Danger
Artist
Date
after 1926
Dimensions
31 5828 348 14 in. (80.272.920.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal — elephant
Object Number
1948.9.1

Artwork Description

Wild animals were Eli Harvey’s favorite subject matter. The elephant that “sat” for African Elephant Scenting Danger had been driven mad from seeing his mate killed, and he became very agitated as Harvey modeled him. At one point, he nearly upset Harvey’s modeling stand by grabbing the leg and shaking it with his trunk. The finished sculpture shows the elephant in his most defensive stance. As he anticipates an attack, he raises his trunk to smell the air and tries to locate his enemy.