Exhibitions: Faces in Stone

Summer approximately 1947: The Brooklyn Museum opened a new exhibition FACES IN STONE to the public today. The exhibition includes sculpture from the Museum collection from many ages and cultures, and will remain on view through the summer months through September 1, in the Entrance Hall and Special Exhibition Gallery. The exhibition offers a splendid opportunity to view the stone sculpture of many lands brought together under this general theme. We can easily compare the work of the artists of ancient Egypt with modern Americans or the work of Pre-Spanish Costa Rican sculptors, with sculpture from the Far East. The exhibition covers the period from 2500 B.C. to the present day. The cultures of Egypt, Central America (ancient), American Indian, and the Far East, are well represented in the show as well as the Italian Renaissance, and many Modern American sculptors. “Head of Walt Whitman” by Ahron Ben-Shmuel, “Archangel Gabriel” by Ivan Mestrovic, and “Senegalese Soldier” by Malvina Hoffman illustrate the wide variety of expression in the modern group.

Representing the culture of ancient Central America is a large figure depicting the Apotheosis of a Huaxtec chieftain, about 1450 A.D. Many other distinguished sculptures of deities and Kings from this important division of the Museum collection are also shown. From the strong, rough textured feeling of the work of Central America, the scene changes swiftly to the highly stylized and sophisticated work of ancient Egypt. In this section some of the most important pieces in the Museum collection are shown.

The squatting Sen Befni (XII Dynasty, about 2,000 - 1800 B.C.) and Irukaptah, the Superintendent of the royal granary, a V Dynasty (2560 - 2420 B.C.) work are only two examples from this section of the exhibition. Three, perhaps, our attention is drawn to a Bodhisattva of the II Century or a Head of Buddha from China, T’ang Dynasty, or to a Rennaisance piece, “The Angel in Adoration" by Giovanni D. Montorsoli.

The custom of remaining open on Tuesday evenings until 9:30 P.M. has been temporarily discontinued for the summer but will be resumed on September 16. Regular Museum Hours, during the summer will be: Weekdays, 10 to 5; Sundays & Holidays, 1 to 5. Admission free at all times.

Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1947 - 1952. 04-06/1947, 092-3. View Original 1 . View Original 2