Michael Emmett Taylor [Plaster]

Michael Emmett Taylor [Plaster]

Figure sculpture, American--20th century

Michael Emmet Taylor, 1937
Plaster original

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.050

Fredericks was commissioned to do this full-length portrait sculpture of Michael Emmet Taylor by his grandfather, Vice President of General Motors, Chevrolet division. When young Michael was brought to Frederick's studio for his portrait sitting, he had a small ball in his hand. The youngster kept playing with the ball so Fredericks included it in the portrait.

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

1937

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

Sculpture

University Center (Mich.)

34" x 8.5"

Plaster full-scale

1991.050

Main Exhibit Gallery

1988 January, 24 Gift to Museum and SVSU Board of Control

From Jennifer Lentz (Collection Documentation Intern 1991-1992)
From a Memo dated March 25, 1992
RE: Conversation with Mr. Fredericks about the history of several works in the gallery

"Michael Emmet Taylor-- His grandparents comissioned Fredericks to do this work. His grandfather was Vice President of General Motors who worked mostly in the Chevrolet division."

Taylor, Michael Emmet
January 06, 2005
On Tuesday, January 4, 2005, MICHAEL EMMET TAYLOR, age 68, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, he was the son of the late Nelson Moore Taylor and Norma Elizabeth Coyle Taylor. He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Jean Donnelly Taylor; a son, Brian Taylor and his wife Nina of North East, MD; two daughters, Lynn Goddard and her husband Kurt of Fairfield, Connecticut and Alicia Taylor of Ocean City; five grandchildren; a brother, Timothy Taylor of St. Joseph, Michigan; a sister, Jill Buyan of Los Angeles, CA and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Taylor was a graduate of the University of Detroit High School and the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He was a retiree after 20 years of service with Ford Motor Division. He continued to work as an employee of Norris Ford in Dundalk, MD for 8 years. He was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday at 12 noon at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. The Rev. Thomas Protack will be the Celebrant. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Interment will be at a future date in Worcester, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. and Mrs. Nelson Taylor Memorial Fund c/o Dr. Donald Meis, 10625 Emerald Point, Sun City, AZ 85351 or to the Holy Cross Fund in memory of Michael E. Taylor Class of 1958, Holy Cross College, One College St., Worcester, Mass 01610-2395.

Molly Barth copy:
Michael Emmett Taylor was commissioned by his grandfather, a vice-president of one of the three American automobile companies. Michael Emmett Taylor is so real, it's as though he's about to throw that ball and step off that pedestal. Fredericks captured the life of that little boy with his protruding little stomach, and his plump arms and legs. This was cast in bronze in 1937, and is in the family's collection. Fredericks said that when little Michael came into his studio to pose, he dragged his little ducky with him. He was a good little model.

Michael Emmet Taylor died in 2005.