Study for "The Thinker"

Dublin Core

Title

Study for "The Thinker"

Subject

Apes in art
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.’”

Creator

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

Source

Marshall M. Fredericks Papers
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

Item #6246.jpg

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.