met pics

The Vine (1921)

Harriet Whitney Frishmuth

Bronze

Statues modeled after dancers in the early twentieth century grew popular with the rise of individual female performers. Desha Delteil was the model used for The Vine and also served as inspiration for many of Frishmth's sculptures. Considered one of Frishmuth's favorite models, Delteil was an Austrian ballerina who immigrated to America with her sister in 1913. She was 22 years old when she became the inspiration for the sculpture shown. 

The Vine is by far my favorite statue in  the entire Metropolitan Museum of Art. It shows power, femininity, gentleness, and fluidity. The position of the body conveys the lyrical balance found in nature and rhythm. The free standing aspect mirrors the bliss of performance and movement and brings life to the bronze form. Originally only a little more than 11 inches tall, The Vine was revered and was later casted in the dimensions seen today.