Billy

Albert Laessle, Billy, 1914, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1971.123
Albert Laessle, Billy, 1914, bronze, 24 3⁄4 x 9 1⁄4 x 36 1⁄8 in. (62.9 x 23.4 x 91.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1971.123

Artwork Details

Title
Billy
Artist
Date
1914
Location
Dimensions
24 3⁄4 x 9 1⁄4 x 36 1⁄8 in. (62.9 x 23.4 x 91.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — goat
Object Number
1971.123
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1971.123

Artwork Description

Billy memorializes a popular billy goat from a petting zoo in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square. The gentle animal let children ride him around the park and quickly became a popular attraction. Albert Laessle spent a lot of time sketching Billy's every detail, including his bristling back, which was eventually "worn smooth by many a rider" (Grafly, "Beauty and Humor in Animal Sculpture of Albert Laessle," Christian Science Monitor, February 20, 1922).

Works by this artist (33 items)

View all artworks
Albert Laessle, First Step, 1909, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.91
First Step
Artist
Date1909
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, La Source, 1909, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.94
La Source
Artist
Date1909
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Rabbit Leaping, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.88
Rabbit Leaping
Artist
Dateca. 1916
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Crawling Squirrel, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.83
Crawling Squirrel
Artist
Dateca. 1916
bronze on marble base
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Pierre Theunis, Namur Hrave les Autrichiens, 1913 (1914?), bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.62
Namur Hrave les Autrichiens
Artist
Date1913 (1914?)
bronze
Not on view
Image Not Available
Tenir
Artist
Date1923
bronze
Not on view
A. Stirling Calder, The Dance of Life Begins Early, 1938, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.24
The Dance of Life Begins Early
Artist
Date1938
bronze
Not on view
Anthony de Francisci, Bernard M. Baruch Distinguished Service Award (obverse), 1952, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate, 1966.110.50
Bernard M. Baruch Distinguished Service Award (obverse)
Artist
Date1952
bronze
Not on view