Baboon

Bessie Stough Callender, Baboon, ca. 1930, limestone, 2616 1813 78 in. (66.041.835.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given as a memorial to the artist by her husband, Harold Callender, 1951.11.3

Artwork Details

Title
Baboon
Date
ca. 1930
Dimensions
2616 1813 78 in. (66.041.835.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Given as a memorial to the artist by her husband, Harold Callender
Mediums
Mediums Description
limestone
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — monkey
Object Number
1951.11.3

Artwork Description

Bessie Stough Callender’s work was greatly influenced by the closed geometric forms of ancient Egyptian art. In Baboon, Callender carved different textures into the limestone to give the form depth and visual interest. The baboon’s face is smooth and his features are marked with sleek lines and cutouts. The intensity of the sculpture is centered in the baboon’s imposing brow, where the contoured limestone shadows fierce, intelligent eyes.

Works by this artist (7 items)

Bessie Stough Callender, Torso, ca. 1930, granite on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Harold Callender, 1960.8.5
Torso
Dateca. 1930
granite on marble base
On view
Bessie Stough Callender, Falcon, 1937, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Harold Callender, 1960.8.2
Falcon
Date1937
marble
On view
Bessie Stough Callender, Baboon, ca. 1930, limestone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Given as a memorial to the artist by her husband, Harold Callender, 1951.11.3
Baboon
Dateca. 1930
limestone
On view
Bessie Stough Callender, Ram, ca. 1930, granite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Harold Callender, 1960.8.3
Ram
Dateca. 1930
granite
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Peter Chinni, Interlocking Form, 1973, bronze/cast on limestone base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joshua Gollin, 1973.162
Interlocking Form
Date1973
bronze/cast on limestone base
Not on view
Untitled (Two Doves)
Dateca. 1932-1937
carved limestone
Not on view
Walker Hancock, Torso, 1927, limestone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1983.29
Torso
Date1927
limestone
On view
Seymour Lipton, Laureate, 1968, metal: monel/brazed with nickel-silver on limestone base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. Seymour Lipton, 1978.127.2
Laureate
Date1968
metal: monel/brazed with nickel-silver on limestone base
Not on view