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Gilbert Riswold

1931

(bronze)

 

 

Further info on Riswold:    The University of Chicago     Wikipedia      Utah Dept of Heritage and Arts

 

Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog full info for this sculpture.

See also the Smithsonian page for info on the 1931 companion Riswold sculpture of Joan's husband Doug Fairbanks, Jr. (also shown below).

 

 

According to owner Rick Spector (of Stairway to the Stars), the Joan sculpture:

"...is 23 inches tall, 8 inches wide at the base, and signed by noted sculptor Gilbert Riswold and dated 1931. Cast at the California Art Bronze Foundry LA and so stamped. On one side is the comedy mask and the other tragedy, denoting she is an actress. I think the gown closely resembles one worn in This Modern Age, done the same year. It has two flange brackets underneath to fasten it to something. Riswold is known for his monumental statues around the world with 12 listed in the Smithsonian directory and three in the National Portrait Gallery. He had just moved to LA in the spring of 1930 and died in Hollywood in 1938."

 

 1931 by Gilbert Riswold.    1931 by Gilbert Riswold.       Thanks to Rick for this edited photo of the two statues together.

 

   


 

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