Not on display
- Artist
- Dame Elisabeth Frink 1930–1993
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- Object: 130 x 600 x 335 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Purchased 1992
- Reference
- T06552
Display caption
Frink frequently portrayed animals in her work. Birds, in particular, began to appear in her sculpture shortly after the Second World War. They were used by her as vehicles for strong feelings such as panic, tension or aggression. They have also been read as having connotations of military might, particularly air power. Although many of Frink's bird subjects appear predatory and aggressive, the hen in this work is a victim whose pose evokes the tragic aftermath of conflict. The sculpture is one of a series, made during the same period, depicting animals in their death throes.
Gallery label, August 2004
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.
Explore
- emotions, concepts and ideas(16,625)
- emotions and human qualities(5,342)
- victim(47)
- emotions and human qualities(5,342)
- history(5,834)
- military: World War II(1,255)
- World War II - non-specific(1,118)
- military: World War II(1,255)
- nature(46,444)
- animals: birds(1,327)
- chicken(80)
- animals: birds(1,327)
- society(35,345)
- social comment(6,555)
- militarism(592)
- social comment(6,555)
You might like
Dame Elisabeth Frink Bird
1952
Dame Elisabeth Frink Harbinger Bird IV
1960
Dame Elisabeth Frink In Memoriam II
1981
Dame Elisabeth Frink In Memoriam I
1981
Dame Elisabeth Frink Dying King
1963
Dame Elisabeth Frink Harbinger Bird
c.1965
Dame Elisabeth Frink The Nun’s Priests’ Tale
1972
Dame Elisabeth Frink Torso
1958
Dame Elisabeth Frink Goggle Head
1969
Dame Elisabeth Frink [title not known]
1970
Dame Elisabeth Frink Small Male Figure with Goggles
c.1968
Dame Elisabeth Frink Riace I
1986
Dame Elisabeth Frink The Book of the Dead
1973–4
Dame Elisabeth Frink Bird Man
c.1966
Dame Elisabeth Frink Spinning Man V
1965