Ruth and Orville Merillat, Relief, [Plaster and Clay]

Dublin Core

Title

Ruth and Orville Merillat, Relief, [Plaster and Clay]

Subject

Figure sculpture, American--20th century

Description

Orville D. and Ruth A. Merillat portrait relief. Clay relief on plaster blank with metal letters. "Ruth A Merillat John D Merillat".

Fredericks sculpted many well known distinguished Michigan personalities. Shown in this double portrait are husband and wife, Orville D. and Ruth A. Merillat, founders of Merillat Industries of Adrian, Michigan.

Fredericks used this rectangular plaquette background for many portraits. He sculpted the portraits in oil-based clay onto the plaster and then glued the metal lettering in place. His graphic guidelines are still visible. A plaster mold is made from this model. The plaster is discolored by shellac which acts as a releasing agent when making the mold. Another plaster model (positive) is made from the mold. This model is sent to the foundry and a sand mold is made from it to be cast in metal.

The bronze cast is on display at the Christian Family Center in Adrian, Michigan. Mrs. Merillat still resides in Adrian, Michigan.

Creator

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

Date

1994

Rights

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

Type

Sculpture
Relief Sculpture

Coverage

University Center (Mich.)

Sculpture Item Type Metadata

Physical Dimensions

36" x 30.5"

Materials

Plaster
Clay

Catalog Number

2000.018

Object Location

Storage Room B - N6

Provenance

02/29/2000 gifted to MFSM

Files

2000.018.jpg

Citation

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Ruth and Orville Merillat, Relief, [Plaster and Clay],” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed November 21, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5538.