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Lot Essay
Throughout her career a recurring motif for Frink had been the nude warrior, embodying nobility, brutality and innate strength.
A new direction was inspired by the discovery, in 1972 off the coast of Southern Italy, of two over-life-sized Greek bronzes. After over 10 years of restoration they were displayed in Florence where Frink saw them (they are currently in the Museum in Reggio di Calabria, close to where they were found).
The Greek bronzes are depicted with incredible realism; poised and alert. They have an air of unease and tension, enhanced by their contraposto positioning, raised arms and turned faces.
It is these details which seem to have interested Frink the most. Her warriors are stockier than their ancient prototypes and their bodies are less clearly demarcated, but their gestures relate strongly. They too seem aware of their surroundings, their heads turned as if listening for something, they too seem to have the potential for action at a moment's notice.
With the Riace figures Frink experimented with the effects of different patination. The present work is patinated in a rich brown with a white, masked face. This serves to increase the sense of unease and tension.
A new direction was inspired by the discovery, in 1972 off the coast of Southern Italy, of two over-life-sized Greek bronzes. After over 10 years of restoration they were displayed in Florence where Frink saw them (they are currently in the Museum in Reggio di Calabria, close to where they were found).
The Greek bronzes are depicted with incredible realism; poised and alert. They have an air of unease and tension, enhanced by their contraposto positioning, raised arms and turned faces.
It is these details which seem to have interested Frink the most. Her warriors are stockier than their ancient prototypes and their bodies are less clearly demarcated, but their gestures relate strongly. They too seem aware of their surroundings, their heads turned as if listening for something, they too seem to have the potential for action at a moment's notice.
With the Riace figures Frink experimented with the effects of different patination. The present work is patinated in a rich brown with a white, masked face. This serves to increase the sense of unease and tension.