Detail from Cycle of Life Sundial – Hands Supporting Baby

Paul Manship, Detail from Cycle of Life Sundial--Hands Supporting Baby, 1955, bronze on marble base, 136 344 34 in. (32.917.012.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.12

Artwork Details

Title
Detail from Cycle of Life Sundial – Hands Supporting Baby
Artist
Date
1955
Dimensions
136 344 34 in. (32.917.012.0 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Study — sculpture model
  • Figure male — child — full length
  • Object — furniture — clock
  • Figure male — full length
  • Figure male — nude
  • Allegory — life
  • Figure — fragment — hand
Object Number
1966.47.12

Artwork Description

Paul Manship created several versions of the Cycle of Life sundial. In the finished sculpture, a man, woman and child are surrounded by an armillary sphere, which shows the relationship of the stars to the earth. This model depicts the baby from the center of the sphere, supported by his mother’s and father’s hands. Manship believed that “Man, Woman, and Child make up the Cycle of Life.”

Works by this artist (6 items)

Warren Mac Kenzie, Teapot, ca. 1980, stoneware and temmoku glaze with cane, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Michael Peter Giza, 1998.55.2A-B
Teapot
Dateca. 1980
stoneware and temmoku glaze with cane
On view
Warren Mac Kenzie, Six-sided Lidded Pot, ca. 1980, glazed stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Michael Peter Giza, 1998.55.5A-B
Six-sided Lidded Pot
Dateca. 1980
glazed stoneware
On view
Warren Mac Kenzie, Yunomi, ca. 1980, stoneware and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Michael Peter Giza, 1998.55.3
Yunomi
Dateca. 1980
stoneware and glaze
On view
Warren Mac Kenzie, Yunomi, ca. 1980, stoneware and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of Michael Peter Giza, 1998.55.4
Yunomi
Dateca. 1980
stoneware and glaze
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Irmgard Mezey, Bowl, ca. 1975, stoneware with feldspathic glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.126
Bowl
Dateca. 1975
stoneware with feldspathic glaze
Not on view
Frank Boyden, Tom Coleman, Turban (Heron) Vessel, 1986, stoneware, manganese slip, and copper luster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Smithsonian Women's Committee, 1988.22
Turban (Heron) Vessel
Date1986
stoneware, manganese slip, and copper luster
On view
Marguerite Wildenhain, Saucer, ca. 1971, glazed stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexander L. and Frances J. Pickens, 1991.161.5.1
Saucer
Dateca. 1971
glazed stoneware
On view
Richard DeVore, Untitled (#403) Vessel, 1983, multi-glazed stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1989.8
Untitled (#403) Vessel
Date1983
multi-glazed stoneware
Not on view