Performing Elephant

Founder Cast by Roman Bronze Works
1902, cast ca. 1906
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774
An accomplished animal sculptor, Roth portrayed humorous aspects of animal life, often modeling his subjects in local zoos. "Performing Elephant" and its companion piece (06.402) are among a series of sculptures depicting circus animals performing stunts. Here the elephant struggles to perch on a wooden tub, its tremendous weight balanced on just two legs. Roth’s careful depiction of the elephant's muscles, bones, and leathery hide reflects his training in both art and veterinary anatomy. This statuette is one of six in the Metropolitan’s collection that was purchased from Roth in 1906, at a time when the museum was making a special effort to collect smaller bronzes by American sculptors.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Performing Elephant
  • Artist: Frederick George Richard Roth (American, Brooklyn, New York 1872–1944 Englewood, New Jersey)
  • Founder: Cast by Roman Bronze Works
  • Date: 1902, cast ca. 1906
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 3 in. (15.2 x 15.2 x 7.6 cm)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
  • Object Number: 06.401
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.