Collections: American Art: The Wave

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The Wave

Embracing a subject that corresponded to the natural "life" of white alabaster, the Brooklynite Robert Laurent here worked his design onto the stone surface, almost magically implying the continuation of the forms within the rock mass. In keeping with direct-carving ideals, requiring direct contact with the raw, natural material, he then hand-polished the surface to raise a brilliance and translucency from the naturally chalky stone.

• Artist: Robert Laurent, American, born France, 1890-1970
• Medium: Alabaster
• Dates: 1926
• Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 22 7/8 x 20 1/8 in. (31.1 x 58.1 x 51.1 cm)
• Signature: Incised along bottom edge below proper right hand: "LAURENT"
• Collections: American Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in American Identities: A New Look, Modern Life, 5th Floor
• Accession Number: 28.275
• Credit Line: Caroline H. Polhemus Fund
• Image: Overall, 28.275_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Robert Laurent (American, born France, 1890-1970). The Wave, 1926. Alabaster, 12 1/4 x 22 7/8 x 20 1/8 in. (31.1 x 58.1 x 51.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Caroline H. Polhemus Fund, 28.275 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 28.275_acetate_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Ovoid statue carved into figure of reclining, nude female with head facing upward and body bent back and curled over rock; feet and proper right hand peep out between ribbon-like waves; fish swimming in waves at her back; forms stylized and smoothly polished, rock roughly hewn. Condition: Good.