(Four Symbolic Bas-Reliefs), (sculpture).

(Four Symbolic Bas-Reliefs), (sculpture).

Taliabue, Carlos, 1894-1972, sculptor.

Hobart, Lewis P., architect.

Patigian, Haig, 1876-1950, sculptor.

(Four Symbolic Bas-Reliefs), (sculpture).

Dedicated 1939.

Digital Reference:

4 reliefs. Each: approx. H. 61 11/16 in. x W. 61 in.

(Incised on the lower left corner of Art and Architecture relief and on the lower left corner of Literature relief:) HAIG / PATIGIAN signed

Four bas-relief panels placed between the second and third floors of the Bohemian Club on the Post Street side. The first panel depicts Art and Architecture represented by a semi-nude turbanned male figure kneeling. In his proper left hand is a mallet which rests on the ground by his proper left leg. In his raised proper right hand he holds a fluted Greek column with an Ionic capital. Behind the figure is a painter's palette and brushes. The second panel depicts Playwriting and Acting represented by a nude male figure kneeling on his proper right knee. The figure wears a helmet with wings, and he holds a partially unrolled scroll at ground level in his proper right hand and a draped mask of tragedy in his raised proper left hand. Draped owl masks (the symbol of the Bohemian Club) hang over the figure's proper right shoulder.

The third panel depicts Literature represented by a bearded nude male figure. He wears a scribe's hat and kneels with a large open book resting in his lap, the edge of the book held with his proper left hand. Behind the figure is a skull, a bookshelf with books, and an owl. The fourth panel depicts Music represented by a partially nude male figure, whose thighs are covered with cloth. His head is covered with a helmet of an owl design. His proper right arm encircles a lyre or harp with a base designed to look like a turtle shell. The figure reaches across to pluck the instrument's strings. Behind the figure's proper left shoulder is a disc symbolizing the moon.

Figure group -- Male -- Nude

Dress -- Accessory -- Hat

Dress -- Costume -- Mask

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Architecture

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Art

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Drama

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Literature

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Music

Animal -- Bird -- Owl

Architecture -- Detail -- Column

Landscape -- Celestial -- Moon

Object -- Art Tool -- Mallet

Object -- Art Tool -- Palette

Object -- Art Tool -- Artist's Brush

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Harp

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Lyre

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Object -- Written Matter -- Scroll

Figure -- Fragment -- Skull

Outdoor Sculpture -- California -- San Francisco

Architectural component

Bohemian Club, 624 Taylor Street, Between 2nd & 3rd floors on Post Street side, San Francisco, California 94102

The reliefs were cleaned in 1989.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, California, San Francisco survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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