Paul Manship
(American, 1885-1966)
John Barrymore
polished bronze
inscribed and dated Paul · Manship SC · M · C · M · X · X · John Barrymore, stamped with conjoined initials of the Modern Art Foundry MA and stamped with the symbol of the Art Founders Guild (underneath the base)
Height: 20 inches.
The present lot is a posthumous cast produced by the late Michael Hall with Modern Art Foundry in 1981.
John Barrymore achieved fame during the silent film era, during which time he received the nickname "The Great Profile" based on his striking facial features that are captured in Manship's rendition in the present work.
Literature:
Paul Vitry, Paul Manship: Sculpteur Americain, Paris, France, 1927, n.p., pl. 70 (marble version illustrated)
Edwin Murtha, Paul Manship, New York, 1957, no. 108, fig. 26, pp. 159, 167 (marble version illustrated)
John Manship, Paul Manship, New York, 1989, no. 78, p. 86 (marble version illustrated)
Note:
By all accounts, Michael Hall, actor, collector and art dealer, was a memorable character who led a truly remarkable life. Michael delighted in being outrageous - frequently the life of the party, always with an entertaining repertory of anecdotes and jokes. Michael was also a very serious collector with an inquisitive nature, extremely passionate and opinionated concerning his chosen field of Renaissance and Baroque art, and was always willing to share his vast knowledge. Michael was mentored by Wilhelm Valentiner, a specialist in Italian Renaissance art and then a consultant to what would become the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Through Valentiner, Hall was introduced to Sir John Pope-Hennessy and Sir Kenneth Clark, and formed friendships with a number of authorities including Rudolf Wittkower, H.W. Janson and Francis Watson. In 1963, Hall moved to New York, and with William Mills, opened a gallery at 6 East 79th Street. His clients grew to include among others, Charles and Jayne Wrightsman, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Art, Boston, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Art. In later years, Michael and his husband, Thomas divided time between their Florida, New York and Connecticut residences, but never stopped enjoying and collecting decorative arts. Those who knew Michael would agree his passion for collecting knew no bounds.
Property from the Michael Hall Collection, Miami Beach, Florida
Condition
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