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, 24 349 1436 18 in. (62.923.491.9 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
Date
1914
Dimensions
24 349 1436 18 in. (62.923.491.9 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

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)

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
Date1909
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Lion with Serpent, 1915, 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, 1972.167.85
Lion with Serpent
Date1915
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Kingcrab and Beetle, 1903, 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, 1972.167.93
Kingcrab and Beetle
Date1903
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
Dateca. 1916
bronze on marble base
On view

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