Sketch for "Nordic Swan and the Ugly Duckling (Hans Christian Andersen Fountain)"

Dublin Core

Title

Sketch for "Nordic Swan and the Ugly Duckling (Hans Christian Andersen Fountain)"

Subject

Drawing, American--20th century.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

Description

Graphite on tracing paper
2.75" x 3.25"

This sculpture represents Fredericks' interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's popular story, The Ugly Duckling. Unlike Fredericks' portrayals of other literary subjects, this sculpture illustrates not one moment in the story, but two.

Fredericks placed the unhappy duckling driven from place to place because of his ugliness at the base of the fountain. Located above is the beautiful swan he grew to be.

Fredericks emphasized the difference between the young and mature bird. The earthbound duckling is awkward and heavy, with stubby wings and tail while the swan soars overhead in an open form which appears almost weightless. Fredericks originally conceived this sculpture for the Danish Village retirement home in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

A bronze cast of this sculpture is located in Skælskor, Denmark where Hans Christian Andersen lived and penned “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and many other children’s stories.

Creator

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

Source

Marshall M. Fredericks Papers
Series VIII, Cabinet 2 Drawer 7 Folder 1

Date

c. 1985

Rights

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

Relation

VIII-02-07-01

Format

image/jpeg

Type

Graphite drawing

Identifier

1998.001.VIII.1129

Drawing Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Graphite drawing

Physical Dimensions

2.75" x 3.25"

Files

Item-#7561.jpg

Citation

Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Sketch for "Nordic Swan and the Ugly Duckling (Hans Christian Andersen Fountain)",” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed December 22, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/7561.