Threading Through Decades


Max Ernst

"On a recent visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, I happened upon Max Ernst's marker and was reminded of the thread some artists have made through the three generations of Modern Art Foundry. It has been in these relationships that our commitment and contribution to those who make art has been made." ~Jeffrey Spring

Max Ernst was a painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and poet. He is often considered one of the pioneers of the Dada and Surrealism movements. His work "The King Playing with the Queen," was one of the featured works at the Mnuchin Gallery’s New York exhibition titled, Casting Modernity: Bronze in The XXth Century, that was cast at the foundry.

"The King Playing with the Queen," bronze, 37 7/8" x 33" x 21 1/8"

Modern Art Foundry has an extensive casting history with Max Ernst, lifetime and posthumously. He worked with John and Bob Spring, and his family has worked with Bob and Jeffrey Spring. “Our records indicate that Mr. Ernst first brought work to us in 1953. I returned from the Air Force in 1955 and I remember Mr. Ernst and his gallery at that time. I have always enjoyed Max Ernst’s sculptures.” ~Bob Spring

My conversations with Bob Spring are part of an on-going documentation of his many decades of dedication to working with artists and casting their work. To date we have reviewed his experiences with an amazing group of diverse and influential artists including Peter Agostini, Doris Caesar, Willem de Kooning, Jose de Creeft, Temima Gezari, Frank Hayden, Mary Hecht, Malvina Hoffman, Anna Hyatt Huntington, Gaston Lachaise, Jacques Lipchitz, George Lober, Paul Manship, Henry Moore, Marino Marini, Joan Miro, Ernst Neizvestny, Isamu Noguchi, John Rhoden, Luis Sanguino, George Segal, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Clemente Spampinato, William Zorach and the list keeps growing. Often these talks lead us to specific topics such as finishing techniques, patinas, installations, thoughts on commissioned commemorative design work, and the maintenance and conservation of bronze sculpture.

                                             Modern Art Foundry: Fine Art Casting Since 1932

Prepared by Patricia Bradshaw as part of:

~Bob Spring: MY LIFE INSIDE ART~

        Reflections on fifty plus years in the fine art casting business.

An on-going collection process that includes interviews, writings, and recordings for publication in print, digital, and sound mediums.

www.modernartfoundry.com

~~ Photo Credits on File