Sleeping Coon Cat

William Zorach, Sleeping Coon Cat, ca. 1964, cast and patinated plaster, 5 149 188 14 in. (13.323.221.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach, 1970.65.14

Artwork Details

Title
Sleeping Coon Cat
Date
ca. 1964
Dimensions
5 149 188 14 in. (13.323.221.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Tessim Zorach
Mediums
Mediums Description
cast and patinated plaster
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — cat
Object Number
1970.65.14

Artwork Description

William Zorach made this patinated plaster cast of Sleeping Coon Cat from an original carved directly in stone. The sculptor used the plaster in turn to make seven bronze casts. Coon cats are native to Maine, where Zorach lived for much of his life. The animal is a sturdy, outdoorsy breed with fur resembling that of a raccoon, that has adapted to the harsh winters of Maine. They are very intelligent and have a friendly nature, serving as excellent companions for people of all ages. Zorach captured this coon cat at a moment of rest, thus preserving the memory and loyalty of a family pet.

Works by this artist (80 items)

Morris Kantor, Synthetic Arrangement, 1922, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1966.53
Synthetic Arrangement
Date1922
oil on canvas
On view
Morris Kantor, Baseball at Night, 1934, oil on linen, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Morris Kantor, 1976.146.18
Baseball at Night
Date1934
oil on linen
On view
Morris Kantor, The Porch, 1960, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Morris Kantor, 1976.146.76
The Porch
Date1960
oil on canvas
Not on view
Inlet
Date1952
oil on fabric: linen mounted on fiberboard
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Dwinell Grant, "Contrathemis", Frame 2401, 1941, crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.35, © 1941, Jean O’Hart Grant
Contrathemis”, Frame 2401
Date1941
crayon on paper
Not on view
Ainslie Burke, Meadow, n.d, crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. Segal, 1997.64.2
Meadow
Daten.d
crayon on paper
Not on view
Vincent Canade, Untitled Landscape, ca. 1930s, crayon and pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Canade Family, 1984.85.2
Untitled Landscape
Dateca. 1930s
crayon and pen and ink on paper
Not on view
Paul Manship, (Sketch for Diana's Dog), ca. 1920s, crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.163
(Sketch for Diana’s Dog)
Dateca. 1920s
crayon on paper
Not on view