Adam Flashcards
artist
Jacob epstein
date
1938-9
material
Derbyshire alabaster
height
height 7 feet
relationship to epsteins genisis peice
Possibly intended as the male counterpart to Genesis in his readiness to people the world (contrast: contemplative, placid female fulfilling biological function vs restless physical dynamism of the male )
quote of creative ambition of Epstein
“Into no other work had I merged myself so much” (Epstein on Adam, Autobiography)
how does this diverge from epsteins other works
FIRST of his colossal (larger than life) works designed to be seen in the round - all his other large works (including Ecce Homo and the figures for the British Medical Association building) were viewed essentially from one angle
pose
*Adam stands squarely
*surges upward from a rough-hewn base
*enormous head reaches backward and toward to sky
-Possible influence of Hans Baldung’s Fall of Adam (1525) in the pose
movement
-pose suggests expansive movement
-right leg is about to step forward AND brazenly exposed genitals likewise seem to be on the move
anatomy
-Simplified anatomy and facial features
-Herculean proportions
-Limbs encourage viewer to move around it
-The body parts are stylised into almost geometrical forms - influence of primitive art
*Central focus of phallus - accentuates procreative ability of Adam
effect of focus on the genitals
*Central focus of phallus - accentuates procreative ability of Adam (compare Epstein’s Sun God relief carving of 1910 which also has phallus as central focus)
is the treatment of adam abstract
not abstract - so Epstein is avoiding the rise of Surrealism and abstraction present in modern British sculpture in the 1930s
abiguity of gesture
*Head is thrown backwards in order to gaze upwards: BUT does he gaze at the sky with pride or fear?
*Open hands: readiness for assertive action OR beseeching (begging forgiveness, having sinned?)
*Does the forward step suggest he is right now being banished from Eden?
a wor by Epstein that shows Adam and Eve disgraced
Compare Epstein’s small bronze Adam and Eve (1938) which concentrates on moment when the disgraced pair recoil from God’s wrath, and the shocked attenuated bodies stress their plight in an obvious way
epstein quote about the scale/ direct carving
“No work, no matter what the scope, would appall me, the larger the better: I want to carve mountains”
height and weight
7 feet tall and weighing 3 tons
when did epstein start direct carving with stone
1910
how long did this take to complete
-This particular block had lain in Epstein’s studio for a number of years before he began work on it
-Once he had decided on the figure the carving was completed in 1 year only
evidence of use of truth to materials and direct carving in Adam
*the figure is contained within the (memory of the) block - block consciousness, integrity of block respected
*Forms of limbs, head, feet and hands massively carved - reminiscent of original boulder-like block
*Alabaster has low tensile strength - therefore we see closed forms, the limbs do not protrude
*Low tensile strength evident in the necessity for a base and central support - large feet and legs provide additional support
*Lack of fine detail (except on facial features - which are hard to see from a low vantage point) – natural detailing in stone takes visual priority
*Smooth polished surface reflects light and highlights subtle colour / textural changes in its surface
*Inherent colour and translucency of alabaster create a sense of human warmth, association with skin and flesh
*Polish enhances colour and markings
*Inherent patterns in the alabaster give a sense of veins under the surface
how is the integrity of the block maintained
*Forms of limbs, head, feet and hands massively carved - reminiscent of original boulder-like block
how can we see alabaster’s low tensile strength
*Forms of limbs, head, feet and hands massively carved - reminiscent of original boulder-like block
*Alabaster has low tensile strength - therefore we see closed forms, the limbs do not protrude
effect of polish
*Smooth polished surface reflects light and highlights subtle colour / textural changes in its surface
*Polish enhances colour and markings
how does the use of truth to materials make it more human like
*Inherent colour and translucency of alabaster create a sense of human warmth, association with skin and flesh
*Inherent patterns in the alabaster give a sense of veins under the surface
