Steel Woman II - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 58.031 W 075° 10.885
18S E 484506 N 4424130
This sculpture can be found at the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden located behind the west end of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The sculpture is an oddity as every other work of art at the garden is abstract. Still, it contributes nicely.
Waymark Code: WMHQV1
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/06/2013
Views: 7
This figurative piece was sculpted by German born Thomas Schutte (born 1954) in 1999. As the name suggests, the sculpture is made of steel. The sculpture was given to the art museum by Mari and Peter Shaw. The sculpture is large and depicts a huge, naked woman with all kinds of hair reclined forward. Her tuchus is absolutely huge so much so my kids had a good chuckle. That huge melon of hers is hidden from view by her hair and the bench upon which she rests. In all seriousness, it is probably my favorite sculpture out in the garden; it is magnificent and full of such wonderful detail. To truly appreciate this work of art, it is important ot peer at every conceivable angle and get good and close so every detail can be swallowed, tasted and appreciated.
It seems almost every piece here is part of a larger, similarly themed collection. This sculpture is no different as it is representative of the ten Frauen (Women, 1998–2006), a sculptural series of large, reclining women (first cast in steel in 1969, and after 2000, in bronze), are a pastiche of sculptures by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Pablo Picasso.
The Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden is located behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, on the elevated terrace adjacent to landscape architectural firm Olin’s gorgeous Sol LeWitt garden.
There are many beautiful works of art using all sorts of mediums spread throughout this terraced area on the Museum's west end. Located on top of a brand new parking facility, this artfully landscaped green “gallery without walls” is located between the Azalea Garden and the museum’s West Entrance. This area overlooks the river and the Fairmount Water Works. There always seems to be something new added as recently two new members joined the sculpture club. The garden is dedicated to the museum’s late director Anne d’Harnoncourt, and reflects her passions for art and the city of Philadelphia. the sculpture garden is open to the public throughout museum hours.