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Catalog Data

Artist:
Eli Harvey, born Ogden, OH 1860-died South San Gabriel, CA 1957  Search this
Medium:
bronze
Dimensions:
31 5/8 x 28 3/4 x 8 1/4 in. (80.2 x 72.9 x 20.8 cm.)
Type:
Sculpture
Date:
after 1926
Luce Center Label:
Wild animals were Eli Harvey’s favorite subject matter. The elephant that “sat” for African Elephant Scenting Danger had been driven mad from seeing his mate killed, and he became very agitated as Harvey modeled him. At one point, he nearly upset Harvey’s modeling stand by grabbing the leg and shaking it with his trunk. The finished sculpture shows the elephant in his most defensive stance. As he anticipates an attack, he raises his trunk to smell the air and tries to locate his enemy.
Luce Object Quote:
“I must choose the most essential truth to be presented, which gives . . . the most agreeable lines as a work in sculpture. I chose for this elephant the attitude when scenting danger.” Eli Harvey, Eli Harvey: Quaker Sculptor from Ohio, 1966
Topic:
Animal\elephant  Search this
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist
Object number:
1948.9.1
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department:
Painting and Sculpture
On View:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 48B
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk71ce13744-0f3d-434d-81c2-1830177f01fc
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:saam_1948.9.1