Study for Head of Moses

William Zorach, Study for Head of Moses, ca. 1950, unfired ceramic, 9 346 127 38 in. (24.816.618.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.161

Artwork Details

Title
Study for Head of Moses
Date
ca. 1950
Dimensions
9 346 127 38 in. (24.816.618.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar
Mediums
Mediums Description
unfired ceramic
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — Old Testament — Moses
  • Study — sculpture model
Object Number
1968.154.161

Artwork Description

Study for Head of Moses is one of William Zorach’s many biblical portrait heads. Zorach was raised in the Jewish faith, and although he did not belong to an organized religion after childhood, he believed in a universal spirit that permeated all living things. Zorach gave Moses a stern expression to convey his “power and authority of revelation.” Study for the Head of Moses was the basis for a larger head of the prophet that was purchased and given to Columbia University, where it was displayed in the interdenominational center.

Works by this artist (744 items)

William Zorach, Two Marys (Empyrean Children), 1960, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.133
Two Marys (Empyrean Children)
Date1960
cast and patinated plaster
On view
William Zorach, Seated Girl (with hands under legs), 1930, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1971.449.8
Seated Girl (with hands under legs)
Date1930
cast and patinated plaster
On view
William Zorach, Mother and Child (study), ca. 1926, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.153
Mother and Child (study)
Dateca. 1926
plaster
On view
William Zorach, Kneeling Boy with Bird and Dog, ca. 1935, cast plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.137
Kneeling Boy with Bird and Dog
Dateca. 1935
cast plaster
On view

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Carl Walters, Walrus, 1933, ceramic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of International Business Machines Corporation, 1966.27.11
Walrus
Date1933
ceramic
On view
Robert Arneson, Ikarus, 1980, glazed and glued ceramic mounted on wood, plywood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1980.143
Ikarus
Date1980
glazed and glued ceramic mounted on wood, plywood base
Not on view
Frank Smith, Maquette for "Tradition: For Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence" (for Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building, Jamaica, New York), ca. 1988, glazed ceramic, wood, paper, and pencil on Fome-Cor with hot glue, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1994.84.1
Maquette for Tradition: For Romare Bearden and Jacob…
Dateca. 1988
glazed ceramic, wood, paper, and pencil on Fome-Cor with hot glue
Not on view
Doyle Lane, Landscape #9, 1967, earthenware and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1978.55.3
Landscape #9
Date1967
earthenware and glaze
On view