Bush
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Coming to Detroit at an early age, Harry Bertoia first learned jewelry making and later studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he remained after graduation to head the metalworking department. Bertoia created large-scale public-sculpture commissions as well as small-scale decorative pieces such as Bush, which demonstrates his early training in jewelry and fine metalworking. Although abstract, Bush evokes an underwater creature or a dandelion plant that has lost its fuzzy spores.
Caption
Harry Bertoia (American, born Italy, 1915–1978). Bush, ca. 1975. Bronze, dark red and green patina, 15 × 19 × 14 in., 29.5 lb. (38.1 × 48.3 × 35.6 cm, 13.38kg). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Mrs. Carl L. Selden, 1996.150.7. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
Bush
Date
ca. 1975
Medium
Bronze, dark red and green patina
Classification
Dimensions
15 × 19 × 14 in., 29.5 lb. (38.1 × 48.3 × 35.6 cm, 13.38kg)
Credit Line
Bequest of Mrs. Carl L. Selden
Accession Number
1996.150.7
Frequent Art Questions
This Bertoia sculpture is undated, but I was wondering if you might have an estimated period it might fall under?
There doesn't seem to be a date for this specific piece, but looking at his work he did similar sculptures during the late 1960s.Its placement with the Hallman hanging and Noguchi table seemed spot on, which led me to wonder how the dates of the pieces lined up.Ah, I see! Very good observation! It appears as an artificial recreation of nature. The table representing water, the bush representing plant, and the wall hanging the sky. That's my take on it, at least.Amazing, thanks!No problem, let us know if you have more questions as you explore!
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