Even when inspired by a particular individual, representations of the human body can acquire universal meanings. Here, Standing Woman suggests an essential female force and vitality. Beginning in 1912, Gaston Lachaise began modeling standing figures inspired by his voluptuous American lover (and wife by 1917), Isabel Nagle.
Indicative of its greater significance, Lachaise referred to his subject, in all its permutations, simply as “Woman.” Owing to its celebration of female physical abundance, critics attributed to this work and others like it a timelessness and a kinship with prehistoric representations of fertility.
- Artist: Gaston Lachaise, American, born France, 1882-1935
- Medium: Bronze
- Dates: 1955-1956
- Dimensions: 88 1/2 x 44 3/8 x 24 11/16 in. (224.8 x 112.7 x 62.7 cm) (show scale)
- Markings: Foundry mark stamped on back edge of base: "MODERN ART FDRY. NY."
- Signature: Incised on base behind proper left foot: "G. LACHAISE"
- Collections:American Art
- Museum Location: This item is not on view
- Accession Number: 56.69
- Credit Line: Frank Sherman Benson Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Alfred T. White Fund and Museum Collection Fund
- Rights Statement: © Estate of Gaston Lachaise
- Caption: Gaston Lachaise (American, born France, 1882-1935). Standing Woman, 1955-1956. Bronze, 88 1/2 x 44 3/8 x 24 11/16 in. (224.8 x 112.7 x 62.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Alfred T. White Fund and Museum Collection Fund, 56.69. © Estate of Gaston Lachaise
- Catalogue Description: Over life-size statue of standing nude woman with exaggerated, bulbous forms and relatively small head; simplified facial features; hands on hips; contrapposto stance on rectangular base Condition: Good
- Record Completeness: Best (90%)