Location: McMaster Museum of Art front lawn
Bird Bath, (modelled 1914; cast 1992)
Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (French, 1891-1915)
Bronze. Levy Bequest Purchase
Born in France, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska spent much of his short career as a sculptor and draughtsman in England. He quickly developed his own style influenced by Rodin and Brancusi and has become widely recognized as one of the outstanding sculptors of his generation. Bird Bath was commissioned in 1914 by art critic Roger Fry. It was intended as a focal point for Fry’s terraced garden. However, after Gaudier-Brzeska’s death in WWI the project was unfinished until 1992.
McMaster has seven works by Gaudier-Brzeska in its collection including sketches and the small scale model of this Birdbath, made by the artist in 1914. The original painted plaster maquette is just 28 cm high.
