Torso

William Zorach, Torso, 1932, granite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.85
William Zorach, Torso, 1932, granite, 3318 1213 12 in. (83.747.034.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.85

Artwork Details

Title
Torso
Date
1932
Dimensions
3318 1213 12 in. (83.747.034.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
granite
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female — torso
Object Number
1986.6.85

Artwork Description

William Zorach had a strong interest in the nude female form, which he simplified greatly in his torsos, emphasizing the smooth contours and basic shapes. Although Zorach used similar proportions in many of them, the type of material often determined the form. For example, the extremely hard granite of Torso made it more difficult to carve, resulting in a simpler design than the softer marble of Undaunted (Roberta Tarbell, Catalogue Raisonné of William Zorach’s Carved Sculpture, 1976).

Works by this artist (5 items)

John Alexander, The Cake Walk, 1985, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2014.11.1
The Cake Walk
Date1985
oil on canvas
Not on view
Welcome to My World
Date1982
watercolor and gouache on heavy off-white paper
Not on view
John Alexander, Conversations with a Spider, 1980, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art ( Museum purchase, William A. Clark Fund), 2020.20.5
Conversations with a Spider
Date1980
oil on canvas
Not on view
John Alexander, Living Your Life in a Goldfish Bowl, 1985, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of United Stationers, Inc., 1995.70.1
Living Your Life in a Goldfish Bowl
Date1985
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

James F. Dicke II, Untitled #48, 2009, mixed media on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Marsha Ralls, 2010.19.1, © 2009, James F. Dicke II
Untitled #48
Date2009
mixed media on canvas
On view
Residual Series: Weak Heart, Strong Lungs
Date2018
ink, charcoal, acrylic, spray paint, enamel, oil, metal dust and pine needles on canvas
Not on view
Alexis Rockman, Gymnorhamphichthys bogardusae, 2001, oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of William and Maria Spears, 2019.58
Gymnorhamphichthys bogardusae
Date2001
oil on wood
Not on view
Gregory Amenoff, Swale, 2007, oil on panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2014.12.2, © 2007, Gregory Amenoff
Swale
Date2007
oil on panel
Not on view