Plaster orbit and sphere for "The Expanding Universe Fountain" in Marshall Fredericks's Royal Oak studio

Dublin Core

Title

Plaster orbit and sphere for "The Expanding Universe Fountain" in Marshall Fredericks's Royal Oak studio

Subject

Artists' studios--United States.
Figure sculpture, American--20th century.
Fountains.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998

Description

This fountain celebrates the nation's first exploration of outer space. According to Fredericks, the sculpture "represents this age of great interest, exploration and discovery in outer space...[and] the immensity, order and mystery of the universe.”

The monumental central figure suggests a superhuman mythological being. Seated upon a ten-foot sphere, covered in a pattern of bright-star constellations, the figure holds two planets that he is sending off into space. The dynamic spiral orbit-form swirling around the sphere represents the speed and perpetual motion of space. Play of the water from numerous star-shaped sprays increases the feeling of movement.

The full-scale casting of this sculpture is located in the South Court of the United States State Department Building in Washington, D.C.

The fountain is also known as: "Man and the Expanding Universe"

Creator

Hartwick, Maurice C.

Source

Marshall M. Fredericks Papers
Series II, Box 11, Folder 6

Date

undated

Rights

Use of this image requires permission from the creator.

Relation

II-11-06

Format

image/jpeg

Type

Image

Identifier

1263

Coverage

Royal Oak (Mich.)

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Black and white print

Physical Dimensions

8" x 10"

Files

Item #8072.jpg

Citation

Hartwick, Maurice C. , “Plaster orbit and sphere for "The Expanding Universe Fountain" in Marshall Fredericks's Royal Oak studio,” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed March 28, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/8072.