(Four Symbolic Bas-Reliefs), (sculpture)

Object Details

Notes
Save Outdoor Sculpture, California, San Francisco survey, 1993.
Image on file.
(Incised on the lower left corner of Art and Architecture relief and on the lower left corner of Literature relief:) HAIG / PATIGIAN signed
The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary
Four bas-relief panels placed between the second and third floors of the Bohemian Club on the Post Street side. The first panel depicts Art and Architecture represented by a semi-nude turbanned male figure kneeling. In his proper left hand is a mallet which rests on the ground by his proper left leg. In his raised proper right hand he holds a fluted Greek column with an Ionic capital. Behind the figure is a painter's palette and brushes. The second panel depicts Playwriting and Acting represented by a nude male figure kneeling on his proper right knee. The figure wears a helmet with wings, and he holds a partially unrolled scroll at ground level in his proper right hand and a draped mask of tragedy in his raised proper left hand. Draped owl masks (the symbol of the Bohemian Club) hang over the figure's proper right shoulder.
The third panel depicts Literature represented by a bearded nude male figure. He wears a scribe's hat and kneels with a large open book resting in his lap, the edge of the book held with his proper left hand. Behind the figure is a skull, a bookshelf with books, and an owl. The fourth panel depicts Music represented by a partially nude male figure, whose thighs are covered with cloth. His head is covered with a helmet of an owl design. His proper right arm encircles a lyre or harp with a base designed to look like a turtle shell. The figure reaches across to pluck the instrument's strings. Behind the figure's proper left shoulder is a disc symbolizing the moon.
Data Source
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums
Date
Dedicated 1939
Control number
IAS CA000999
sculptor
Taliabue, Carlos 1894-1972
architect
Hobart, Lewis P.
sculptor
Patigian, Haig 1876-1950
Type
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures-Architectural component
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures
Medium
Terra cotta
Owner/Location
Bohemian Club 624 Taylor Street Between 2nd & 3rd floors on Post Street side San Francisco California 94102
Topic
Figure group--Male--Nude
Dress--Accessory--Hat
Dress--Costume--Mask
Allegory--Arts & Sciences--Architecture
Allegory--Arts & Sciences--Art
Allegory--Arts & Sciences--Drama
Allegory--Arts & Sciences--Literature
Allegory--Arts & Sciences--Music
Animal--Bird--Owl
Architecture--Detail--Column
Landscape--Celestial--Moon
Object--Art Tool--Mallet
Object--Art Tool--Palette
Object--Art Tool--Artist's Brush
Object--Musical Instrument--Harp
Object--Musical Instrument--Lyre
Object--Written Matter--Book
Object--Written Matter--Scroll
Figure--Fragment--Skull
Record ID
siris_ari_331675
Usage
Usage conditions apply