Robert Laurent (American, born France, 1890–1970). <em>Plant Form</em>, ca. 1920–1923. Wood on separate wood base, Overall with base: 21 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (54 x 18.4 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 2008.1. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2008.1_view1_PS2.jpg)

Robert Laurent (American, born France, 1890–1970). Plant Form, ca. 1920–1923. Wood on separate wood base, Overall with base: 21 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (54 x 18.4 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 2008.1. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2008.1_view1_PS2.jpg)

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Plant Form

Robert Laurent

American Art

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

In this hand-carved work, the French-born Brooklyn artist Robert Laurent formed three organic and erotic leaf forms that stretch upward with a turning or unfurling motion suggested by the complex interplay of their silhouettes. Throughout the 1920s artists often engaged living, natural forms as surrogates for the human body in works that celebrated physical presence as an antidote to modern, mechanized lives. Among his earliest freestanding sculptures (Laurent had previously carved frames and two-dimensional reliefs), this work is one of a small handful of plant and flame subjects by the artist.

ARTIST Robert Laurent, American, born France, 1890–1970

MEDIUM Wood on separate wood base

DATES ca. 1920–1923

DIMENSIONS Overall with base: 21 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (54 x 18.4 x 18.4 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Incised on rear corner of self base: "LAURENT"

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2008.1

CREDIT LINE Dick S. Ramsay Fund

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Robert Laurent (American, born France, 1890–1970). Plant Form, ca. 1920–1923. Wood on separate wood base, Overall with base: 21 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. (54 x 18.4 x 18.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 2008.1. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2008.1_view1_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2008.1_view1_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008

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