Eugenie Gershoy, Carl Walters, 1935, bronze, 18 x 8 5⁄8 x 8 in. (45.8 x 21.8 x 20.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. James Neely in memory of the Honorable William H. Neely, 1971.55
Copied
Artwork Details
- Title
- Carl Walters
- Artist
- Date
- 1935
- Location
- Dimensions
- 18 x 8 5⁄8 x 8 in. (45.8 x 21.8 x 20.3 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. and Mrs. James Neely in memory of the Honorable William H. Neely
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- bronze
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Object — art tool — potter’s wheel
- Portrait male — Walters, Carl — full length
- Occupation — craft — potter
- Occupation — art — sculptor
- Occupation — art — painter
- Object Number
- 1971.55
Artwork Description
Carl Walters started his career as a painter, studying at the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts, the Chase School, and the Henri School of Art. The Egyptian ceramic ware at the Metropolitan Museum of Art inspired him to become a potter, however, and he began to experiment with different modeling techniques and glazes. He joined the arts colony at Woodstock during the 1920s and lived in a log cabin, where he created pottery and polychrome sculptures of animals. This piece shows Walters in action at the potter’s wheel. The wheel itself is not portrayed, but it is easy to imagine the bowl spinning in midair as Walters activates the pedal and molds the form.