Object Details
Artist
James Leonard, born Orange, NJ 1949
Sitter
Eleanor Roosevelt
Louis Armstrong
Luce Center Label
James Leonard created this wind machine in 1984 to commemorate Eleanor Roosevelt’s hundredth birthday. She is seated because, as Leonard explains, “she is the lady of honor, and the other two guys are playing for her.” The “other two guys” are Leonard’s fantasy duet of Louis Armstrong and the angel Gabriel. When the machine is activated, Roosevelt waves her arms, Gabriel flaps his wings and taps his foot, and Armstrong rocks back and forth. (Lynda Hartigan, Made with Passion, 1990)
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Date
1984
Object number
1986.65.368
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture
Folk Art
Medium
cut, soldered and patinated copper on wood base, cut and soldered copper wire and sheet with localized liver of sulphur (potassium sulfide) patination
Dimensions
28 x 18 1/2 x 10 in. (71.1 x 47.0 x 25.4 cm.)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Portrait group
Performing arts\music\trumpet
Portrait female
Portrait male
Religion\angel\St. Gabriel
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1986.65.368