Familiar Figure

1991

Not on view

Familiar Figure presents palpable references to both human anatomy and the natural world, such as fertility, growth, and the interconnectedness of life. Carpenter’s process of adding clay coils to a helix-like infrastructure enabled her to create large-scale undulating forms in high relief (see also MMA 2020.296.15).

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Familiar Figure
Artist: Syd Carpenter (American, born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1953)
Date: 1991
Medium: Earthenware
Dimensions: 49 3/4 × 21 3/4 × 9 7/8 in. (125.7 × 55.2 × 25.1 cm)
Weight: 35.7 lb.
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Gift of Robert A. Ellison Jr., in celebration of the Museum's 150th Anniversary, 2020
Object Number: 2020.296.16
Rights and Reproduction: Syd Carpenter photo copyright
Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

By Syd Carpenter

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Deep Roots, Syd Carpenter American, Earthenware — Deep Roots
Syd Carpenter
1991

Gray and Brass, John Sloan American, Oil on canvas, American — Gray and Brass
John Sloan
1907

Bowl with the Arms of Pope Julius II and the Manzoli of Bologna surrounded by putti, cornucopiae, satyrs, dolphins, birds, etc., workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware), Italian, Castel Durante — Bowl with the Arms of Pope Julius II and the Manzoli of Bologna surrounded by putti, cornucopiae, satyrs, dolphins, birds, etc.
workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro
1508

Necklace, Meta Overbeck American, Gold, emeralds, Montana sapphires, topazes, enamel, American — Necklace
Meta Overbeck
Louis C. Tiffany
Manufacturer Tiffany & Co.
ca. 1914–15

Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas, Nicola da Urbino Italian, Maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware) — Armorial Plate (tondino): The story of King Midas
Nicola da Urbino
ca. 1520–25

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