Historical February 1982 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On Tuesday morning, Dec. 15, workmen and crane operators began installing massive works of sculpture in the recently completed Blanke Sculpture Terrace at The Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park.
The outdoor terrace is a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Blanke Jr.
The major work already set in place is a cast lead sculpture of a nude entitled, “La Montagne,” created by the French artist Aristide Maillol in 1939.
The twice-life-size lady weighs 1,980 pounds. “La Montagne,” the Museum’s major art purchase of 1980, arrived from Paris in August of that year.
This is the first time the public will have a chance to see it.
The sculpture is one of six castings of “La Montagne.” The five others are located in the Tuilleries in Paris, The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, The Norton Simon Gallery in Pasadena, The Australian National Gallery in Canberra and a private New Jersey collection.
The work was purchased through funds provided by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Shoenberg, Sr.
The sculpture rests on a pedestal in front of a water wall designed by Zion and Breen architects who designed Paley Pocket Park in New York City. Also skylifted onto the sculpture terrace is “Two Piece Reclining Figure Number One” by Henry Moore.
A gift of Mr. and Mrs. Howard F. Baer, this work has been on view at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Another Henry Moore cast bronze entitled “Standing Figure” will be set in place.
It is a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weil. Also to be placed on the terrace is “Le Bonnet Phrygien,” a stabile by Alexander Calder.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1982.
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Original source: SD_Times1982_02.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
