Study for "The Thinker"
Dublin Core
Title
Study for "The Thinker"
Subject
Apes in art
Drawing, American--20th century.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Drawing, American--20th century.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Description
Charcoal on paper
18" x 12"
Fredericks created this sculpture at the request of George Gough Booth, the founder of Cranbrook Educational Community, who wanted a “Thinker†for the steps of the Cranbrook Art Museum similar to Auguste Rodin’s renowned Thinker, a cast of which is on the steps of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Fredericks’ replacement of Rodin’s heroic male nude with a bemused chimpanzee stroking his chin is a thought provoking variation on the earlier statue. Fredericks' choice of a chimpanzee reveals his fondness for primates.
Fredericks indicated that he “tried different human figures for about a month, but couldn’t come up with the right Thinker. Mr. Booth came to my studio and saw this chimpanzee I was carving in my spare time and he said, ‘This is my Thinker. He’s probably thinking far more interesting thoughts than we are.’â€
18" x 12"
Fredericks created this sculpture at the request of George Gough Booth, the founder of Cranbrook Educational Community, who wanted a “Thinker†for the steps of the Cranbrook Art Museum similar to Auguste Rodin’s renowned Thinker, a cast of which is on the steps of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Fredericks’ replacement of Rodin’s heroic male nude with a bemused chimpanzee stroking his chin is a thought provoking variation on the earlier statue. Fredericks' choice of a chimpanzee reveals his fondness for primates.
Fredericks indicated that he “tried different human figures for about a month, but couldn’t come up with the right Thinker. Mr. Booth came to my studio and saw this chimpanzee I was carving in my spare time and he said, ‘This is my Thinker. He’s probably thinking far more interesting thoughts than we are.’â€
Creator
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Source
Marshall M. Fredericks Papers
Series VIII, Cabinet 2 Drawer 15 Folder 1
Series VIII, Cabinet 2 Drawer 15 Folder 1
Date
c. 1938
Rights
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Archives.
Relation
VIII-02-15-01
Format
image/jpeg
Type
Charcoal drawing
Identifier
VIII.1998.001.511
Drawing Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Charcoal drawing
Physical Dimensions
18" x 12"
Files
Collection
Citation
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
, “Study for "The Thinker",” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed October 13, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/6246.