Signed. Marshall Fredericks was commissioned to create the Baboon Fountain (a/k/a the "Board of Directors Fountain")  for the Glass Industries Building at the 1939 New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens. Fredericks' sculpture served as an artistic entrance feature complementing the glass exhibits inside.

This cast not only represents one of the artist's earliest examples, but also is one of the earliest examples of his use of a green patina. The signature on this work also differs from his later methods as it was inscribed in the mold as opposed to his later method of signing after the patina had been applied. 

This work, according to the artist, is the only one of its kind. Fredericks said that this work was cast at the time when his plaster maquettes and sketches were submitted for consideration to the World's Fair Committee. It remained in the artist's private collection until his later years when he finally agreed to let his good friend add this work to his already considerable collection of Fredericks' bronze sculptures and jewelry. 

Provenance:

Private collection of the Artist

Property from a Birmingham, MI private collector who was a lifelong friend of the artist

Literature:

Photo credit for Marshall Fredericks sketch of The Baboon Fountain courtesy of: The Marshall Fredericks Museum, Saginaw Valley State University

Photo credits for images of the Baboon Fountain, World's Fair 1939: New York Public Library Digital Archives 

Exhibition History:
This work has never been publicly exhibited. 

Lot Essay:

During their decades long friendship, Marshall Fredericks often mused to the consignor about this particular bronze and spurred him to recall fond memories preparing and participating in the 1939 World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.  As an emerging sculptor and instructor at the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art, Fredericks knew that winning this commission would be life changing and put his work on the level of established modern masters that included Paul Manship, Donald De Lue, and Theodore Roszak. When his proposal for The Baboon Fountain was accepted and approved, he immediately began preparation on the full-scale models with the knowledge that this installation was to be the foundation upon which his artistic career would be built. 

Over the decades, Fredericks would look upon this work and expound on the many collaborative discussions he had with Fair organizers, artists and artisans as the construction of the Fair began in 1936. He especially treasured his talks with Frederic Carder of the Steuben Glass Works and explained how the time he spent with Carder impacted his artistic vision. As the United States was just emerging from The Great Depression, budgetary concerns required that sculptures used in the Baboon Fountain be cast in concrete. A total of six baboon sculptures, reaching a height of 14 Feet, were arranged in a circular formation around a glass basin fountain and installed outside the entrance of the Glass Industries Building in Corona Park. When the Fair opened in 1939, the Baboon Fountain was unveiled with great fanfare and enjoyed significant critical success. After the Fair closed in late 1940, Fredericks planned to realize his original vision and have each of the figures carved in granite and installed at another venue. However, World War II dashed those plans and the concrete castings were destroyed as part of the American War effort. 

The baboon was a re-occurring theme in Fredericks' works and monumental commissions. While Fredericks' bronze sculptures are considered exemplary examples of American 20th century artwork, this example stands alone in its significance to the artist and unbroken chain of provenance. 

Written by: Walker, Joe,

Dimensions:
H 12" W 4" Depth 4" Pristine | Please note all lots show signs of wear commensurate with age and use, and the lack of a statement regarding condition does not imply the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from defects or the effects of aging. Unless otherwise stated, all information provided is the opinion of DuMouchelles' specialists. Should you have any specific questions regarding the condition of this lot, please use the “Request Condition Report” or “Ask a Question” buttons or email conditions@dumoart.com.