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Femme qui marche
Walking Woman
Femme qui marche
Modeled 1933–34; cast in 1955
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Bronze
Dimensions
151 x 11.25 x 38.1 cm (59 7/16 x 4 7/16 x 15 in.)
Credit Line
Major Henry Lee Higginson and William Francis Warden Funds
Accession Number64.520
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSculpture
The formal and elongated, almost abstract, walking pose of this bronze reflects Giacometti's interest in traditional African art, as well as his fascination with ancient Egyptian sculpture. This work is one of Giacometti's earliest explorations of the walking figure, a central theme in his later sculptures. Born in the Italian part of Switzerland, Giacometti moved to Paris in 1922, where he kept a studio for the rest of his life.
DescriptionSlim, almost flat, headless and armless with elongated legs, left foot slightly forward, on rectangular base with beveled sides.
Signed
Signature of Giacometti incised at right side.
Marks
Number IV/IV at back.
Provenance1955, Hanover Gallery, London [see note 1]; 1964, sold by Hanover Gallery to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 8, 1964)
NOTES:
[1] In 1936, the plaster original of the Femme Qui Marche was sold to Sir Roland Penrose, London, who sold it to Valerie Cooper, London. In 1955, Valerie Cooper sold the plaster original to the Hanover Gallery, London, which commissioned an edition of 4 bronze casts from Fiorini's Foundry, London. The MFA's piece is marked as the fourth cast in this edition. See Ronald Alley, "Catalogue of the Tate Gallery's Collection of Modern Art" (London, 1981), p. 277 (cat. no. T.1519).
NOTES:
[1] In 1936, the plaster original of the Femme Qui Marche was sold to Sir Roland Penrose, London, who sold it to Valerie Cooper, London. In 1955, Valerie Cooper sold the plaster original to the Hanover Gallery, London, which commissioned an edition of 4 bronze casts from Fiorini's Foundry, London. The MFA's piece is marked as the fourth cast in this edition. See Ronald Alley, "Catalogue of the Tate Gallery's Collection of Modern Art" (London, 1981), p. 277 (cat. no. T.1519).
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