Gaston Lachaise (American, born France, 1882–1935). <em>Standing Woman</em>, 1955–1956. Bronze, 88 1/2 × 44 3/8 × 24 11/16 in., 660 lb. (224.8 × 112.7 × 62.7 cm, 299.37kg). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Alfred T. White Fund, and Museum Collection Fund, 56.69. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 56.69_front_PS22.jpg)

Gaston Lachaise (American, born France, 1882–1935). Standing Woman, 1955–1956. Bronze, 88 1/2 × 44 3/8 × 24 11/16 in., 660 lb. (224.8 × 112.7 × 62.7 cm, 299.37kg). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Alfred T. White Fund, and Museum Collection Fund, 56.69. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 56.69_front_PS22.jpg)

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This is my favorite sculpture of all time. Does the museum have more sculptures from this artist?

That is a very popular sculpture among visitors! There are no other sculptures by Gaston Lachaise in the museum's collection, but there is a drawing, which currently is not on view.

Hi guys! Can you tell me about this?

Lachaise's favorite model was his wife, an American woman named Isabel Nagle. She was very beautiful and had a quite voluptuous figure! To the artist, she represented womanhood in general. He portrayed her on every scale --- big, small, in between! This was created at a time when many American artists were exploring abstraction but Lachaise was interested in the human (especially female) figure more than anything else.

He also took inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures of the human body.

Hey guys! Do you know how long it would take to make a bronze statue like this?

Lachaise's favorite model was his wife, an American woman named Isabel Nagle. She was very beautiful and had a voluptuous figure. To the artist, she represented womanhood.

He portrayed her on every scale big, small, in between. This was at a time when many American artists were exploring abstraction but he was interested in the human (especially female) figure more than anything else. He also took inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures of the human body.

Who made this and who is this a sculpture of?

This sculpture, "Standing Woman," was created by the American sculptor Gaston Lachaise. The woman depicted is probably his wife, Isabel Nagle.

What is this made of?

This sculpture is cast from bronze. The model was Gaston Lachaise's wife, an American woman named Isabel Nagle. She was very beautiful and had a voluptuous figure. To the artist, she represented all of womanhood.

I recognize this piece. What other museums is it located in?

You are very welcome! Great question. Gaston Lachaise made many large-scale sculptures of standing women. I know that The Metropolitan of Art, MoMA and the Whitney have similar works by Lachaise.

Got it. I knew it looked familiar!

I see that you are standing face to face with the "Standing Woman" by Gaston Lachaise.

Yes! Can you please share information about it?

Lachaise's favorite model was his wife, an American woman named Isabel Nagle. She was very beautiful and had a quite voluptuous figure! To the artist, she represented womanhood in general. He portrayed her on every scale -- big, small, in between! This was at a time when many American artists were exploring abstraction but he was interested in the human (especially female) figure more than anything else. He also took inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures of the human body.

How similar did she look to this model? It is clearly sculptural but how much liberty did he take?

Oh he definitely used artistic license. She does not look quite like this. She was not quite as large and not quite as curvy, but definitely had a shapely body.

What is this type of sculpture considered?

Thats a great question! Gaston Lachaise could be considered an American Modernist sculptor who favored figurative subjects.

This work was created at a time when many American artists were exploring abstraction, but Lachaise was interested in the human (especially female) figure more than anything else.

Why did you move her to Visible Storage?

She was moved here when the Connecting Cultures installation was de-installed in 2016. She didn't necessarily fit with the new "Infinite Blue" theme, but this way she is still on view!

Do you have more information on her?

Sure! Did you know that she is based on Isabel Dutaud Nagle, Gaston Lachaise's wife and favorite muse?

Lachaise was known for his exaggerated female forms expressing a strong sexual energy.

I didn't know that! I live in New Zealand, but have a friend who grew up with her when she was first installed. For many years she was a feminist icon.

Was there ever protest that it was sculpted by a man?

I am not aware of any backlash. Despite being sculpted by a man, this is typically read as being a celebratory depiction of a woman rather than an objectifying one.

I can see why this image would be adopted as a feminist icon! She has a really commanding presence!

Is the "Standing Women" of 1932 a recent acquisition? I think I saw her in Milwaukee several years ago.

There are multiple versions of this statue, since it is cast in bronze (8 to be precise). We have one, and the Milwaukee Art Museum has another!

Thank you! I thought I was seeing double.

Standing Woman

Gaston Lachaise

American Art

On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Surface Tension

Even when inspired by a particular individual, representations of the human body can acquire universal meanings. Here, Standing Woman suggests an essential female force and vitality. Beginning in 1912, Gaston Lachaise began modeling standing figures inspired by his voluptuous American lover (and wife by 1917), Isabel Nagle.

Indicative of its greater significance, Lachaise referred to his subject, in all its permutations, simply as “Woman.” Owing to its celebration of female physical abundance, critics attributed to this work and others like it a timelessness and a kinship with prehistoric representations of fertility.

ARTIST Gaston Lachaise, American, born France, 1882–1935

MEDIUM Bronze

DATES 1955–1956

DIMENSIONS 88 1/2 × 44 3/8 × 24 11/16 in., 660 lb. (224.8 × 112.7 × 62.7 cm, 299.37kg) (show scale)

MARKINGS Foundry mark stamped on back edge of base: "MODERN ART FDRY. NY."

SIGNATURE Incised on base behind proper left foot: "G. LACHAISE"

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 56.69

CREDIT LINE Frank Sherman Benson Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Alfred T. White Fund, and Museum Collection Fund

PROVENANCE By April 1956, acquired by Weyhe Gallery, New York, NY; April 11, 1956, purchased from Weyhe Gallery by the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Over life-size statue of standing nude woman with exaggerated, bulbous forms and relatively small head; simplified facial features; hands on hips; contrapposto stance on rectangular base Condition: Good

EXHIBITIONS

Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Surface Tension

CAPTION Gaston Lachaise (American, born France, 1882–1935). Standing Woman, 1955–1956. Bronze, 88 1/2 × 44 3/8 × 24 11/16 in., 660 lb. (224.8 × 112.7 × 62.7 cm, 299.37kg). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Alfred T. White Fund, and Museum Collection Fund, 56.69. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 56.69_front_PS22.jpg)

IMAGE front, 56.69_front_PS22.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2024

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RIGHTS STATEMENT © Courtesy of the Lachaise Foundation

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