The Sower, (sculpture).

The Sower, (sculpture).

Walter, Stephan Anton Friedrich, b. 1871, sculptor.

H. Gladenbeck & Sohn, founder.

The Sower, (sculpture).

Figure: bronze; Foundation: stone.

Figure: approx. 6 ft. 3 in. x 3 ft. 1.5 in. x 2 ft. 1 in.; Foundation: approx. 3 in. x 8 ft. 8 in. x 9 ft. 11 in.

(On the bottom of the figure, to the figure's proper left:) ST. WALTER FEC AKT GES GLADENBECK/FRIEDRICHSHAGEN/BIE BERLIN signed Founder's mark appears.

A male figure, standing sowing seeds. He wears a hat, loose shirt, and pants which end just below the knees. He has long hair, which flows onto his proper right shoulder. Proper left hand is at waist level, with a cloth wound around his proper left wrist, which extends up over his proper left shoulder, down and around his back, and to the front again to form a pouch. His proper right arm is extended, his fingers half-closed, in the action of sowing seeds. Behind his proper right leg is a bag, possibly full of seeds.

Figure male -- Full length

Occupation -- Farm -- Sowing

Outdoor Sculpture -- North Carolina -- Durham

Coadministered by Duke University Archives, 341 Perkins, Box 90202, Durham, North Carolina 27708

Coadministered by Duke University, Facilities Management Department, 200 Facilities Center, Durham, North Carolina 27708

Located Duke University, East campus, East Duke Building lawn, Durham, North Carolina

Formerly in the collection of Duke, James Buchanan, Somerville, New Jersey

Gift of James B. Duke, who purchased the statue in Leipsic, Germany. IAS files contain related articles from Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), Jan. 20, 1991, pg. C1, C7, and Duke Dialogue (Duke University), June 14, 1991. Original base was brick. The statue was restored by Van der Staak Restorations with walnut shell blasting sometime prior to Jan. 20, 1991. As a campus prank, the statue has assumed the role of "Cupid." Coins are often placed in his proper right hand as a courting practice.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, North Carolina survey, 1995.

Duke Dialogue, Duke University, June 14, 1991.

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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