Head of the Prophet

Herzl Emanuel, Head of the Prophet, 1935, stone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.19
Copied Herzl Emanuel, Head of the Prophet, 1935, stone, 15 5⁄8 x 9 1⁄2 x 10 1⁄2 in. (39.7 x 24.2 x 26.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.19

Artwork Details

Title
Head of the Prophet
Artist
Date
1935
Location
Dimensions
15 5⁄8 x 9 1⁄2 x 10 1⁄2 in. (39.7 x 24.2 x 26.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost
Mediums Description
stone
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure — head
Object Number
1986.92.19
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.92.19

Artwork Description

Herzl Emanuel carved Head of the Prophet soon after he returned from a year spent in Palestine. The sculpture was probably inspired by the story of Salome, who asked King Herod for the head of John the Baptist on a salver. The geometric shapes, straight lines, and distorted angles of this piece reflect Emanuel’s interest in cubism.