Bronze head 'Phoebe'
Date made: early 20th century
Artist: Taubman, Frank Mowbray
Description: This bronze sculpture of the head of a young female is entitled ‘Phoebe’, and it is in the Art Deco style. Art Deco was a popular design style of the 1920s and 30s characterised especially by sleek geometric or stylised forms and using man-made materials. Phoebe’s hair and face conform to this style, along with the overall smoothness and finish of the sculpture. It is not known who Phoebe is, although it has been suggested that the model was Manx poet ‘Cushag’ (Miss Josephine Kermode). The sculpture was bequeathed to the National Art Collection by the artist, which does infer that he felt the piece had a strong connection to the Isle of Man.
Of Manx parentage, Frank Mowbray Taubman was a sculptor, medallist, and painter, born in London, 1868. His first exhibited his work in 1894 and predominantly produced sculptural work, often with themes in Ancient Greek myth and portraiture. In 1910, Taubman’s work was included in the Liverpool Exhibition, without his knowledge or consent - which was in contravention of the rules of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. In 1911, Taubman was commissioned to sculpt a portrait of Arthur William Moore, Speaker of the House of Keys on the Isle of Man from 1898-1909 - which is now held at the Tynwald Legislative Buildings. The artist died in 1938, in Worcester, England.
Measurements: overall: 48 cm x 20 cm x 15 cm
Materials: metal: bronze
Object name: sculpture
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 1954-6125
Subject tags : #artgallerywall
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