Statue of draped figure strapped to a vertical slab, with his back to the viewer. Proposal for international competition on the theme of "Unknown Political Prisoner".
In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Date
1951-52
Material
Plaster
Dimensions
15 1/2 x 17 3/8 x 9 3/8 in. (39.4 x 44.1 x 23.8 cm)
Description
Statue of draped figure strapped to a vertical slab, with his back to the viewer. Proposal for international competition on the theme of "Unknown Political Prisoner".
Markings
n/a
Provenance / Location
Charlotte Petersen; purchased at 1964 sale by Helen J. Sebek, Fort Dodge, Iowa. CPAC, Gift of Helen J. Sebek. UM2000.6
Alternate Title(s)
Unknown Prisoner
Notes / Sources
n/a
A competition for a sculpture on the theme of a monument to the "Unknown Political Prisoner" was announced in the US by the Museum of Modern Art (NY) in 1952 and in December of that year, the jury had reached a decision and it was announced early in 1953. Reg Butler, a British sculptor, won with an abstracted design. Christian Petersen of Gilbert, Iowa is listed as having submitted a maquette to the committee. On page 6 of the list, it says there were 193 entries. On another list, it indicates that there were 306. The closing date for submissions in the US was June 1, 1952, so Petersen would have made his maquette before that.
The competition was sponsored by the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, who announced it in January, 1952 and the competition for American artists was managed by MOMA. There were a total 5700 entries from 57 countries. The maximum height for the maquettes was 18", and it was assumed that the actual monument would be on a larger scale. MOMA held an exhibition of some of the American entries Jan. 28 - Feb. 8, 1953. An exhibition of other entries was held at the Tate in London March 14 - April 30, 1953.
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