Leaping Gazelle Fountain [Bronze]

Leaping Gazelle Fountain [Bronze]

Animal sculpture--20th century

Leaping Gazelle, 1936
Bronze

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.015

This sculpture was the first commissioned work Marshall M. Fredericks was paid to do. In 1936 the sculpture won first prize in a national competition, and as a result, made Fredericks well known as a public sculptor. Since the gazelle is not native to Michigan, Fredericks made four animals that are, and placed them around the gazelle on Belle Isle. These animals are the otter, grouse, hawk and rabbit. Fredericks sculpted the gazelle in a characteristic movement called wheeling, which is when an animal quickly changes direction while being pursued by a predator.

The Leaping Gazelle is one of the most duplicated of Fredericks's sculptures. It can be found at numerous locations, including Brookgreen Gardens where it was one of four purchase prize winners of a nationwide open sculpture competition in 1972.

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

1988

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

Sculpture

University Center (Mich.)

96" x 36" x 36"

Bronze full-scale

1991.126

In the Zahnow Library courtyard

1988 gifted to MFSM

Sculpture was a gift of the Ruth B. Dixon and William R. Dixon Memorial Fund and was dedicated on Thursday, April 21, 1988.