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 (61 items)

James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1952, found paper, soot, and color of unknown origin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.27.47
Untitled
Dateca. 1952
found paper, soot, and color of unknown origin
On view
James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1931-1977, found paper and soot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment

, 2013.27.30
Untitled
Dateca. 1931-1977
found paper and soot
On view
James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1931-1977, found paper and soot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.27.27
Untitled
Dateca. 1931-1977
found paper and soot
On view
James Castle, Untitled, ca. 1931-1977, found paper and soot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Castle Collection and Archive and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2013.27.29
Untitled
Dateca. 1931-1977
found paper and soot
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1982, oil stick and waxed crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sam Rose and Julie Walters, 2018.16
Untitled
Date1982
oil stick and waxed crayon on paper
Not on view
Jeff Donaldson, Victory in Zimbabwe, 1980, mixed media on cardboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum Purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2019.1, © 2018, Estate of Jeff Donaldson
Victory in Zimbabwe
Date1980
mixed media on cardboard
Not on view
"Prophet" Royal Robertson, Space Gun Drawing, n.d., pencil, marker, paint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.30
Space Gun Drawing
Daten.d.
pencil, marker, paint on paper
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Rorschach drawing), n.d., drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.408
Untitled (Rorschach drawing)
Daten.d.
drawing
Not on view