Rabbit Leaping

Albert Laessle, Rabbit Leaping, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.88
Albert Laessle, Rabbit Leaping, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, 2 123 181 18 in. (6.37.92.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.88

Artwork Details

Title
Rabbit Leaping
Date
ca. 1916
Dimensions
2 123 181 18 in. (6.37.92.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — rabbit
Object Number
1972.167.88

Artwork Description

Albert Laessle enjoyed working with animals so much that he eventually bought a studio in the country where he could keep his own. His subject matter was not always taken as seriously as that of other sculptors; even as an animal sculptor his choice of insects, lizards, frogs, and snails was uncommon among professional sculptors of his day. But it is precisely that uncommon element that makes Laessle’s work special and continues to give it a unique, imaginative spark. Unlike some artists who chose to sculpt animals for their decorative value, Laessle chose them for their expressive potential.

Works by this artist (33 items)

Albert Laessle, La Source, 1909, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.94
La Source
Date1909
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Lion with Serpent, 1915, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.85
Lion with Serpent
Date1915
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Crawling Squirrel, ca. 1916, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.83
Crawling Squirrel
Dateca. 1916
bronze on marble base
On view
Albert Laessle, Bronze Turkey, ca. 1911, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.81
Bronze Turkey
Dateca. 1911
bronze on marble base
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Paul Manship, Morning, 1938, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.48
Morning
Date1938
bronze on marble base
Not on view
Bryant Baker, William Howard Taft, 1922, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1962.12.7
William Howard Taft
Date1922
bronze on marble base
Not on view
Paul Manship, Hairdo, 1952, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.62
Hairdo
Date1952
bronze on marble base
Not on view
Paul Manship, The Country Mouse and the City Mouse, 1952, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.21
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
Date1952
bronze on marble base
Not on view