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"Benjamin Franklin & Nude Athletes", 1925 Bronze Relief for Univ of Pennsylvania
About the Item
Extraordinary in size and subject matter, this monumental bronze relief sculpture, dating from 1925, depicts four nude athletes receiving the victory laurel from a seated Benjamin Franklin, founder of the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin is shown in 18th century garb, while the young men are shown without any clothing at all, a conceit that had to draw a smile from athletes and students alike. The panel was sculpted by Robert Tait McKenzie, the world's leading sculptor of young athletes, and was made to mark the University of Pennsylvania's Relay Carnival, now known as the Penn Relays, a prestigious track and field event for high school athletes across America. Robert Tait McKenzie modeled the athletes in 1925 after four celebrated University runners, three of whom were also Olympic champions. The relief was cast in several sizes -- a small size that served as a medal for individuals winners, a larger size for schools that excelled overall, and this monumental rondel, which is the first we have seen. McKenzie was a remarkable polymath, acting as physician, physical therapist, physical educator, and sculptor over his lifetime, and serving as the University of Pennsylvania’s first Professor of Physical Education from 1904 to 1929. In 1931 he was appointed the J. William White Research Professor of Physical Education, permitting him to focus his efforts almost exclusively on sculpture, and in most cases, he used university students as his models. The relief is bronze, which has been given a gold finish; it retains its original beveled hardwood base.
- Dimensions:Height: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)Diameter: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Cast
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1925
- Condition:The gold finish may have been added in later years after the bronze was cast.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU865140397882
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