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Lion

Alexander Phimister Proctor

American Art

This lifelike representation of a resting lion was carved by the Paris-trained artist A. Phimster Proctor, whose particular talent for animal sculpture is apparent here in the convincing description of the cat's anatomy and attitude. Raise on the frontier in Denver, Colorado, Proctor had developed an affinity for wildlife and a passion for hunting that he ultimately shared with Brooklyn Museum trustee George D. Pratt. An active patron of the artist as well, Pratt purchased this work from Proctor in 1910 (prior to the inscription of the date 1912), originally for presentation to Pratt Institute. Pratt also presented the Brooklyn Museum with ten small Proctor bronzes including nine animal subjects and a Native American figure.

ARTIST Alexander Phimister Proctor, American, 1862-1950
MEDIUM Marble
DATES 1912
DIMENSIONS 27 1/2 x 54 1/2 x 26 in., 2848 lb. (69.9 x 138.4 x 66 cm, 1291.84kg)
SIGNATURE Inscribed on front of base at lion's rear paw: "A.P. PROCTOR / 1912"
COLLECTIONS American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER 10.119
CREDIT LINE General John B. Woodward Statue Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Naturalistic figure of a sleeping male lion viewed from side; lion rests his head on his front paws; tail curls around bottom and crosses over proper right rear leg; figure carved from rectangular block with back and base left roughly hewn. Condition: Good, some scratches and damage on back.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
RECORD COMPLETENESS
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TAGS

1912
American
American art
American sculpture
carved
Cat
feline
frozen
grumpy
hulk
king of the jungle
lion
mane
marble
Proctor
relief
resting
rock
sculpture
sedate
sleeping
tail
trapped
white

TAGS

1912
American
American art
American sculpture
carved
Cat
feline
frozen
grumpy
hulk
king of the jungle
lion
mane
marble
Proctor
relief
resting
rock
sculpture
sedate
sleeping
tail
trapped
white

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