Horseless Carriage (Model S Ford Children and Animals - Sunday Afternoon) [Plaster]

Horseless Carriage (Model S Ford Children and Animals - Sunday Afternoon) [Plaster]

Figure sculpture, American--20th century
Animal sculpture--20th century

Horseless Carriage (Model S. Ford, Children and Animals Sunday Afternoon), 1939
Plaster original

Fredericks designed and carved the original limestone relief that was placed in the public lobby of the Post Office in River Rouge, Michigan. He received this commission as a result of an honorable mention in a section of Fine Arts Competition at the World's Fair in New York in 1939.

Because the automobile industry was the most important factor in the development of the Detroit area, the sculptor chose to depict one of the very early cars. The "horseless carriage," with its two occupants, speeds along leaving a trail of dust and smoke. Two children and a dog run delightedly beside the car while pigs, chickens, and a startled bird dart away in terror.

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

1939

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

Sculpture

University Center (Mich.)

48" x 48"

Plaster

1991.069

Main Exhibit Gallery

1989 March, 22 Gift to Museum and SVSU Board of Control

The "S" was a prototype of the Model T. The panel was carved on buff Carrara limestone in 1939.

MF archives:
Fredericks carved the original limestone relief that was placed in the public lobby of the Post Office. He received this commission as a result of an honorable mention in a section of Fine Arts Competition.
Because the automobile industry was the most important factor in the development of the Detroit area, the sculptor has chosen to depict one of the very early cars. The "horseless carriage", with its two occupants, speeds along, leaving a trail of dust and smoke. Two children and a dog run delightedly beside the car while pigs and chickens flee in terror.