Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Wordless 38

This week’s mystery image has connections to abolition, suffrage, the Washington Monument, and the League of Nations.

Can you tell me how this piece of sculpture weaves and winds through the concepts and events I’ve mentioned?

Isn’t she beautiful? Look for my explanation later this week.

Last week’s explanation can be found here.

Find out more about Wordless Wednesday by following the link.

Someone guessed correctly regarding this week's image. You can see my explanation HERE.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe the star hanging around her neck? What a beautiful image!!

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how the "fabric" flows?? I've always been impressed how something like this can be sculpted...very nice.

Rene Perez said...

I love history and was glad to find your blog. I have to say that I too am amazed with how anyone can sculpt. I mean, wow. I look forward to learning more.

EHT said...

The star is significant, but it doesn't tell the entire story.

I love sculpture. It is truly an amazing art. She looks so serene.

I'm glad you found my blog as well, CR Morris!

ZAM said...

Was reading the things about the Hindu Temple in Lilburn and I'm really impressed. Your blog here is very informative.

Anyway, re your WW pic this week, I'll be one of those waiting for the details.

Anonymous said...

She is beautiful! I like the black and white. It makes it even more dramatic.

Happy WW!

Unknown said...

OK I'm stumped!

I've seen this somewhere.

The star might indicate the Masonic symbol meaning immortality.

At first I thought of Clark Mills since he was born near Syracuse, NY - hotbed of abolitionism and women's suffrage. Then Greenough.
Hmmm. League of Nations? And which Washington Monument?

Now I think she's just trying to remember where her blouse is!

EHT said...

"The" Washington Monument...

Yes, Tour Marm she does look a bit cold. If I ever use this in the classroom I have to really prepare students before I merely pop it up on the screen. We look at Greek art especially statuary for a couple of days in preparation.

Andree said...

sorry, i have not a clue this time. but it is a beautiful sculpture.

Unknown said...

My home computer has crashed and unfortunately, I am up to my ears with - well - a lot of stuff.

'The' Washington Monument. Now that's in my sphere. I'll try harder.

This past July 10th, I posted about teaching art and sculpture. There are student groups that cannot be exposed to nudity and I have to steer away from anyplace that may display them. I had posed a question, "How does one prepare students for the subject of nudity in art"?

Unknown said...

The statue is neoclassical, and I think it is supposed to represent an African allegorical figure.

I have been thinking that it is by Hiram Powers (although I can't support it as I cannot find the photo of this statue) and letting my imagination and reference sense kick in.

What I came up with, which may be totally wrong, is the so-called 'English' Protestant Cemetery in Florence. There are so many famous Americans and family members buried there. But even if it is worng, this is still a fascinating place;

http://www.florin.ms/americantombs.html
http://piazzaledonatello.blogspot.com/

Hiram Powers is a rather interesting person and his Greek Slave made enough of a imopact on Elizabeth Barret Browning, that she wrote about it.

Frederick Douglass visited it.

Please let me know if I am on the right track, but if I'm not, do look at the sites above.

The Tour Marm said...

Gee whiz! I KNEW I had seen it!
Libyan Sibyl by William Wetmore Story.

I think I've written enough and will let you tell the 'Story'!

(But I'm really happy that through my journey I found out about the cemetery in Florence!)

EHT said...

Yes, it is Story's Sibyl.

I'm finishing up the post tonight.

Thanks for the link to Florence. :) I learne something on this journey as well...I'll relate that in my post.

Regarding the question about getting students ready to see nude forms in art....hopefully in a few years students will reach me with prior knowledge regarding the Greek and Roman civilizations and the ideals of Greek democracy since there is a Ga. standard now in the younger grades to cover that.

However, in the past I've had to do this myself. I generally just talk to the students about images they might see in some of our discussions. While I wouldn't show Michelangelo's David, I would probably use this image of Story's work. We talk about what they might see in a museum and someone always brings up "naked" people. That opens the door regarding what is appropriate and what is not. :)

Unknown said...

Story's Sibyl was not on view for so many years since that museum was under renovation. I need to go back and visit it again.

There is a scale model of Winged Victory at Yorktown Victory Center and I usually tie it into their NIKE clothes and shoes and ask why this statue is revered despite having no arms or a head. They get it!

I had designed a Classical tour of Washington DC for a group and had added in so much of the art and architecture found in this city. Glad to hear ancient civilzation is part of your standards!

Can't wait for your post!