Seated Woman

Leonard Baskin is perhaps best known for his large-scale sculpture in carved wood and bronze. "Seated Woman," carved in laminated oak, is typical - solid, self-contained, and monumental. Executed without preparatory drawings or macquettes, and created without the inspiration of a model, the massive solidity of the figure is reinforced by the feet firmly planted on the ground and the hands crossed in her lap. The vertical surface patterns of the laminated wood contrast with the horizontal wrappings of the figure. Details have been simplified or reduced. like much of Baskin's work, the broad frontality forces a limited point of view. Baskin was essentially self-taught, having been captivated by the art of carving in his early teens. His work was strongly influenced by ancient art and by the modern sculptors Ernst Barlach and Henry Moore. A lifelong adherent of the figural tradition, and committed to concerns of humanity and society, Baskin's subjects often draw from classical mythology, the Old Testament, or depictions of admired artists and poets. In addition to his sculpture, he produced a significant body of work in watercolor and printmaking and taught for many years at Smith College.