Small scale "The Boy and Bear" with flags in background

Small scale "The Boy and Bear" with flags in background

Animal sculpture--20th century.
Bronze sculpture, American--20th century.
Figure sculpture, American--20th century.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

Fredericks was one of six artists commissioned by J.L. Hudson Company to design sculpture for Northland Center in Southfield, Michigan. When it opened in 1954, Northland was the country's largest shopping center.

In a 1981 National Archives Interview, Fredericks stated: “[ Victor Gruen] and his staff were very art conscious and they thought that sculpture would really enhance the architecture, and they were right because it made architecture more personal and related to people better. People don’t like to go shopping in just a cement building. If it has something that appeals to their eye and is more friendly and warm and maybe has a little fun connected with it I think they enjoy it more. That was the reason I did The Bear and the Boy there.”

Fredericks carved the original bear in limestone and the bronze casting of the boy is gold-plated.

Kyro, Erick W.

Marshall M. Fredericks Papers
Series V, Box 4 Folder 15

1974-02-09

Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Archives.

V-04-15

image/jpeg

Image

Color print

3.5" x 5"