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"Poseidon Calming the Sea, " Sculpture w/ Swimmers by Joe Brown Awarded by AAU

About the Item

Enormously important, both artistically and historically, this unique bronze depicting a monumental Poseidon figure calming the sea and making space for swimmers to complete below, was sculpted by Joe Brown at the behest of the Amateur Athletic Union in 1954. The year before, Yale University’s famed swimming coach, Bob Kiphuth, introduced Bruce Hopping, a leader of the AAU, to Joe Brown, a sculptor in residence at Princeton University. They discussed the creation of an award to be given by the organization to mark the induction of a worthy athlete or organization into the International Swimming Hall of Fame; the first recipient of this award was the International Swimming Federation (FINA). Brown oversaw the boxing program at Princeton while pursuing his sculpting work, following in the footsteps of R. Tait McKenzie. As a young man, Brown excelled as an athlete at Temple University and modeled for artists in Philadelphia, including Walker Hancock and McKenzie, who became his teacher for several years. Later, Brown became famous for his public sculptures, including "Full Swing" and "Punter," now located near Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia. The bas relief is beautifully mounted in a slab of oak.
  • Creator:
    Joe Brown (Sculptor)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Width: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Depth: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1954
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU865125188382
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