Terracotta
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Contemporary Art Society
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/frank-dobson-1014" aria-label="More by Frank Dobson" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Frank Dobson</a>
Noon
Presented by the Contemporary Art Society 1938
actions: expressive
actions: postures and motions
adults
afternoon
embracing
female
nudes
people
sitting
times of the day
woman
<p>The reclining female form became a major subject for sculptors during the early part of the twentieth century. In a number of terracotta sculptures Dobson explored this theme, producing works that unselfconsciously celebrate the female form. Dobson was influenced by such artists as the French sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861-1944), who had reinterpreted the classical tradition in Western sculpture, emphasising the static and monumental qualities of the human figure. Dobson's terracotta figure group conveys a sense of ease and tranquility. The relaxed pose of the women evokes an imaginary mediterranean idyll during what was a period of increasing menace, as the threat of Fascism cast a shadow across Europe.</p><p><em>Gallery label, August 2004</em></p>
sculpture terracotta
Noon
object: 254 × 305 × 343 mm, 5.6 kg
Presented by the <a href="/search?gid=999999975" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">Contemporary Art Society</a> 1938
<p>The reclining female form became a major subject for <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/sculpture" title="Glossary definition for 'Sculpture'"><span>sculptors</span></a> during the early part of the twentieth century. In a number of terracotta sculptures Dobson explored this theme, producing works that unselfconsciously celebrate the female form. Dobson was influenced by such artists as the French sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861-1944), who had reinterpreted the <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/c/classicism" title="Glossary definition for 'Classicism'"><span>classical</span></a> tradition in Western sculpture, emphasising the static and monumental qualities of the human figure. Dobson's terracotta figure group conveys a sense of ease and tranquility. The relaxed pose of the women evokes an imaginary mediterranean idyll during what was a period of increasing menace, as the threat of Fascism cast a shadow across Europe.</p>
Display caption
2004-08-18T00:00:00
display-caption
DISPLAY_CAPTION
<p><b>N04922</b> NOON 1936
<br/> 
<br/>Inscr. 'Dobson' on base.
<br/>Terracotta, 10×12×13 1/2 (25×30×35).
<br/>Presented by the Contemporary Art Society 1938.
<br/><i>Coll:</i> Purchased by the C.A.S. 1936.
<br/><i>Repr:</i>
<i>C.A.S. Report 1936–7</i>, 1938, facing p.13.</p>
<p>A slightly different terracotta of the same title is reproduced by Earp, 1945, pl.31.</p>
<p><b>Published in:</b>
<br/>Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, <i>The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture</i>, London 1964, I</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>

Catalogue entry
2004-07-20T00:00:00
catalogue-entry
CATALOGUE_ENTRY
actions: expressive actions: postures and motions adults afternoon embracing female nudes people sitting times of the day woman