Object Details
Artist
Albert Laessle, born Philadelphia, PA 1877-died Miami, FL 1954
Luce Center Label
Albert Laessle's sculptures of insects, lizards, frogs, and snails were not always taken as seriously as the works of other animal sculptors. Laessle chose to sculpt animals because he found them to be as expressive as people. He enjoyed working with animals so much that he eventually moved his studio to a farm in the Pennsylvania countryside. Laessle gave this turkey enormous tail feathers to emphasize the bird's proud preening in the farmyard.
Luce Object Quote
". . . when you want to model an animal you must manage it . . . And when you do that you don’t know how much like people they really are." Albert Laessle, quoted in Grafly, "Albert Laessle, Sculptor, has a persuasive way with Animals," Christian Science Monitor, August 18, 1922
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
Date
ca. 1911
Object number
1972.167.81
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture
Medium
bronze on marble base
Dimensions
31 1/2 x 24 3/4 x 26 3/4 in. (80 x 62.9 x 67.8 cm)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, W330
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Animal\bird\turkey
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1972.167.81