Untitled Bas Relief, (sculpture).

Untitled Bas Relief, (sculpture).

Alferez, Enrique, 1901-1999, sculptor.

Untitled Bas Relief, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Carved limestone.

Approx. H. 2 ft. 9 in. W. 8 ft. 10 in.

A rectangular relief above building entrance. "The panel depicts the struggle of humanity in ill health, reaching toward the help that medical science can give. The central figure is symbolic of Medical Science, a beautiful woman giving forth the fruit from the exuberant tree of life, which is behind her. At her feet is a prostrate figure typifying suffering humanity, whose whole being suggests distress and pain. A figure symbolizing the medical profession is giving support and help. At the left end, walking away from the center, is a heavily veiled figure symbolizing ignorance, enveloping a crouching figure symbolizing humanity. Left of the central figure is a woman representing humanity asking help from medical science. Superstition, in the form of a woman with bony face and hands and with hair being blown as if by ill winds and storm, walks away from the center, a broom in her right hand, and a bat with outspread wings perched on her left. In the right corner is a crouching figure of a witch leaning over a caldron and stretching her arms over it as if invoking powers for her evil doings."

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Medicine

Allegory -- Life -- Humanity

State of Being -- Illness

Allegory -- Quality -- Ignorance

Outdoor Sculpture -- Louisiana -- New Orleans

Touro Infirmary, 1401 Foucher, Touro Clinic entrance, corner of Prytania & Aline, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115

IAS files contain a related article from the Touro Infirmary, Staff Meetings Pamphlet, April 6, 1935, which discusses the symbolism of this relief.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Louisiana, New Orleans 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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