The Heavens

Solon H. Borglum, The Heavens, 1913-1917, bronze, 40 3⁄8 x 12 3⁄8 x 16 3⁄4 in. (102.6 x 31.5 x 42.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Monica B. Davies and Paul Borglum in memory of Mrs. M. Nash Bly, 1968.127
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Artwork Details

Title
The Heavens
Artist
Date
1913-1917
Location
Dimensions
40 3⁄8 x 12 3⁄8 x 16 3⁄4 in. (102.6 x 31.5 x 42.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Monica B. Davies and Paul Borglum in memory of Mrs. M. Nash Bly
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Allegory — religion — heaven
  • Allegory — element — earth
  • Figure male — full length
  • Figure male — nude
Object Number
1968.127
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.127

Artwork Description

The Heavens, along with three other works representing earth, water, and man, was commissioned for the National Geographic Society in New York. Solon Borglum and three other sculptors were involved, including his brother Gutzon. World War I interrupted the project and it was never completed, but Borglum made this smaller bronze version as well as a larger plaster version, which has since disappeared. Representing the heavens, a male figure emerges from the planets and clouds, looking back to acknowledge his creation. The man has mortal beauty but embodies God’s transcendent powers.

Works by this artist (6 items)

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Bill Beirne, Cross Reference, 1976, two-channel video installation, color, sound; 32:00 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Gene Davis Memorial Fund, 2015.6.2, © 1976, Bill Beirne
Cross Reference
Artist
Date1976
two-channel video installation, color, sound; 32:00 minutes
Not on view
Bill Beirne, Breathe, 1972, single-channel video, black and white, sound; 10:24 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Gene Davis Memorial Fund, 2015.6.1, © 1972, Bill Beirne
Breathe
Artist
Date1972
single-channel video, black and white, sound; 10:24 minutes
Not on view
Bill Beirne, Lights of Glass, 1971, 16mm film, black and white, silent; 05:44 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Gene Davis Memorial Fund, 2015.6.4, © 1971, Bill Beirne
Lights of Glass
Artist
Date1971
16mm film, black and white, silent; 05:44 minutes
Not on view
Bill Beirne, Drawing, 1972, single-channel video, black and white, sound; 12:42 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Gene Davis Memorial Fund, 2015.6.3, © 1972, Bill Beirne
Drawing
Artist
Date1972
single-channel video, black and white, sound; 12:42 minutes
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Image Not Available
My Body Sees You
Artist
Date1992
single-channel video, color sound; 05:58 minutes
Not on view
Charlemagne Palestine, Running Outburst, 1975, 5:56 minutes, black & white, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.6, © 1975, Charlemagne Palestine. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Running Outburst
Artist
Date1975
5:56 minutes, black & white, sound
Not on view
Bill Viola, Silent Life from The Reflecting Pool- Collected Work 1977-80, 1979, 13:14 minutes, color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.16.3, © 1979 Bill Viola. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Silent Life from The Reflecting Pool- Collected Work 1977 – 80
Artist
Date1979
13:14 minutes, color, sound
Not on view
Woody Vasulka, Explanation from Selected Works, 1974, 11:45 minutes, color, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company, 2008.21.14.4, © 1974 Woody Vasulka. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Explanation from Selected Works
Artist
Date1974
11:45 minutes, color, sound
Not on view