Monumental Torso

Monumental Torso, a form of remarkable presence and visual impact, was discovered in upstate New York. The original purpose of this larger-than-life carving remains a mystery. Frank Maresca and Roger Ricco have suggested that the piece may have been a circa 1855 figurehead on an abolitionist schooner from the Hudson River (American Vernacular, p. 115), while others have suggested the work may have been connected to a carnival, as a depiction of a strong man, or mounted on the side of a wagon. Whatever his original purpose, the African American figure’s muscled abdomen and chiseled shoulders convey strength, while his expression and uplifted head demonstrate dignity and serenity.