Falcon

Bessie Stough Callender, Falcon, 1937, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Harold Callender, 1960.8.2
Bessie Stough Callender, Falcon, 1937, marble, 14 185 786 58 in. (35.815.018.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Harold Callender, 1960.8.2

Artwork Details

Title
Falcon
Date
1937
Dimensions
14 185 786 58 in. (35.815.018.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Harold Callender
Mediums
Mediums Description
marble
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — bird — falcon
Object Number
1960.8.2

Artwork Description

In Falcon the smooth, sloping lines of the bird contrast with the rough bulk of the base, which retains the original texture of the marble. The falcon’s expression is alert and inquisitive. Something seems to have caught his eye, and he is poised to attack or flee. His form is tense and energetic like his face, and his body rises out of the stone as if he may take flight at any moment. The sculpture conveys the animal’s primal instinct at its peak.

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

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Amazon on Horseback
Date1965
marble
Not on view
Paul Manship, Susanna (#1), 1948, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.1
Susanna (#1)
Date1948
marble
On view
Jean de Marco, Eve, 1940, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Clara Fasano, 1968.131
Eve
Date1940
marble
Not on view
Paul Manship, Study for Venus Anadyomene, 1924, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.57
Study for Venus Anadyomene
Date1924
bronze on marble base
On view