Artist Robert Laurent (American, 1890–1970)
Title Study for Birth of Venus
Date Ca. 1952–1954
Medium Graphite on paper
Dimensions Image: 10 5/8 x 15 7/8 in. (27 x 40.3 cm)
Sheet: 10 5/8 x 15 7/8 in. (27 x 40.3 cm)
Credit Line Given of August L. Freundlich in honor of his daughter Mary F. Held, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 2008.219
About this Work
When Robert Laurent was hired in 1942 to head IU’s new sculpture department, plans for a monumental sculpture outside of the university’s new auditorium were already being discussed. In 1952 he submitted three different designs for the central figure in The Birth of Venus. This pencil study relates to the version that was ultimately selected—that of a reclining goddess with a jumping fish between her legs. Although differing slightly from the final sculpture, the sketch’s anatomical distortion and simple lines reflect Laurent’s interest in folk art and primitivism. He takes a classical theme and gives it a modern Art Deco feel inspired by stylistic sources from antiquity, the Renaissance, American folk art, and non-Western imagery.
Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art’s collection include several bronze maquettes for The Birth of Venus sculpture in various sizes (Eskenazi Museum of Art 54.1, 91.314, and 2001.48.1–.3) and sixteen photographs of Laurent working on the project by Van Deren Coke (Eskenazi Museum of Art 2012.123, .126-.137, .126.1, and .160-.161). Two additional designs for the Venus sculpture are in the Indiana University Archives and Lilly Library.
