Tahitian woman
Statue
ca. 1929 - ca. 1931 (carving)
ca. 1929 - ca. 1931 (carving)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
On acquisition in 1980 this figure was seen to complement sculptures by Eric Gill already in the Museum's collection, as well as the woodcuts, engravings and first edition books by Gibbings, which were held by the Department of Prints and Drawings and the National Art Library respectively. The stone and slate sculptures by Gill were subsequently transferred to the Tate Gallery, London, in 1982. This figure of a Tahitian woman was almost certainly inspired by a visit Gibbings made to Tahiti in 1929. The sculpture is not signed or dated, but was probably produced between about 1929 and 1931, when Gibbings was in close contact with Gill and becoming interested in sculpture while running the Golden Cockerell Press.
Gibbings (1889-1958) is best known as a book illustrator, wood engraver and writer. Only four sculptures by him are known, including this piece. He studied under Noel Rooke (1881–1953), an influential teacher at the Central School of Art and Crafts in London. Gibbings took over the Golden Cockerel Press in 1925, which was started in 1920 at Waltham St Lawrence, near Twyford. It was not until Gibbings took over that it made its reputation with some handsome books issued with wood-engraved illustrations by such names as Eric Gill, David Jones, Eric Ravilious and Gibbings, just to name a few. The most important work of the Press was an edition of the Four Gospels (1931) with decorations by Eric Gill.
Gibbings (1889-1958) is best known as a book illustrator, wood engraver and writer. Only four sculptures by him are known, including this piece. He studied under Noel Rooke (1881–1953), an influential teacher at the Central School of Art and Crafts in London. Gibbings took over the Golden Cockerel Press in 1925, which was started in 1920 at Waltham St Lawrence, near Twyford. It was not until Gibbings took over that it made its reputation with some handsome books issued with wood-engraved illustrations by such names as Eric Gill, David Jones, Eric Ravilious and Gibbings, just to name a few. The most important work of the Press was an edition of the Four Gospels (1931) with decorations by Eric Gill.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Tahitian woman (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Hopton Wood stone |
Brief description | Statue, Hopton Wood Stone, A Tahitian Woman, by Robert Gibbings, Britain, ca. 1929-1931 |
Physical description | The naked figure is represented in half-length, in relief, her arms hanging down the sides of her body, and her head turned to her right in profile. The stylised carving around her thighs suggests water. |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label |
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Object history | Given to Mrs Hazel Hunkins-Hallinan by the artist around 1940. Bought from Mrs Hunkins-Hallinan, London, for £2,000 under the Post-1920 Sculpture Fund, in 1980. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | On acquisition in 1980 this figure was seen to complement sculptures by Eric Gill already in the Museum's collection, as well as the woodcuts, engravings and first edition books by Gibbings, which were held by the Department of Prints and Drawings and the National Art Library respectively. The stone and slate sculptures by Gill were subsequently transferred to the Tate Gallery, London, in 1982. This figure of a Tahitian woman was almost certainly inspired by a visit Gibbings made to Tahiti in 1929. The sculpture is not signed or dated, but was probably produced between about 1929 and 1931, when Gibbings was in close contact with Gill and becoming interested in sculpture while running the Golden Cockerell Press. Gibbings (1889-1958) is best known as a book illustrator, wood engraver and writer. Only four sculptures by him are known, including this piece. He studied under Noel Rooke (1881–1953), an influential teacher at the Central School of Art and Crafts in London. Gibbings took over the Golden Cockerel Press in 1925, which was started in 1920 at Waltham St Lawrence, near Twyford. It was not until Gibbings took over that it made its reputation with some handsome books issued with wood-engraved illustrations by such names as Eric Gill, David Jones, Eric Ravilious and Gibbings, just to name a few. The most important work of the Press was an edition of the Four Gospels (1931) with decorations by Eric Gill. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.98-1980 |
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Record created | March 3, 2003 |
Record URL |
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