Gaston Lachaise 1882-1935

Robert Schoelkopf Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1986

Gaston Lachaise: Sculpture and Drawings, Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1963, illustration of another example as no. 45
Hilton Kramer, et al. The Sculpture of Gaston Lachaise, New York, 1967, illustration of another example figs. 30-31
Gerald Nordland, Gaston Lachaise: The Man and His Work, New York, 1974, pp. 113-117, illustrations of other examples figs. 53-56
Sam Hunter, Lachaise, New York, 1993, illustration of another example pp. 92-93
Gaston Lachaise: Sculpture and Drawings, New York, Salander O'Reilly Galleries, 1998, illustration of another example as no. 21

in good condition; some oxidization to surface gives figure a slightly mottled look
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Gerald Nordland, in his book Gaston Lachaise: The Man and His Work, in discussing the series The Mountain writes: "The first work to bear that title was executed in New York City in 1913, and was not shown for at least four years.  Subsequent versions were cut in fieldstone, 1921, cast in bronze, 1924 and finally worked up to nine feet for cement casting, 1934.  The first Mountain was worked in clay, cast in plaster in 1913 and ultimately cast in bronze.  It embodies a concept of the reclining woman as an invulnerable absolute, rising from the plain of human experience as a great truth of life.  From tiny feet through slender calves to expanding thighs and enormous torso the mountain rises to its idealized head."  (pp.113-114) 

Lachaise used his 1920-21 stone carving to create a mold and later a plaster model from which he made one bronze cast during his lifetime.  This lifetime cast was purchased by Alfred Stieglitz and given by his executrix, Georgia O'Keeffe, in 1949 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.  In 1950, the Lachaise Foundation proposed and supervised an edition of 11 casts.  Of those, one is retained by the foundation and there are examples in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Stanford University Museum of Art, Palo Alto, California and the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio.