Mary Frank (American, b. England, 1933)
Persephone, 1987
Bronze
Bruce Museum, Gift of Zita and Edward J. Rosenthal and Family, 2012.11.03
Mary Frank draws on mythological subject matter to explore the real and imaginary in her art. This recumbent female nude depicts Persephone, the ancient Greek goddess of spring and vegetation, posed with her hand outstretched and knee raised. Composed of bronze, the sculpture was initially conceived in clay, allowing the artist to fold and manipulate the delicate material to achieve the body’s fragmented appearance.