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Elizabeth Catlett’s powerful sculpture refers to the Ife people and culture that flourished in West Africa from the 1000s to the 1500s. The name also describes the place where they believe life began, and Catlett interprets that African creation myth as a proud and powerful Earth goddess. The mahogany’s smooth, sensuous texture and the woman’s curved forms embody the source of human life.

2002.3

Details

  • Title: Ife
  • Creator: Elizabeth Catlett
  • Creator Lifespan: 1915/2012
  • Creator Nationality: American
  • Creator Gender: Female
  • Creator Death Place: Cuernavaca, Mexico
  • Creator Birth Place: Washington D.C.
  • Date: 2002/2002
  • Provenance: The artist; June Kelly Gallery, Inc., 2002; Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. by Exchange to the Chrysler Museum in honor of Andrew S. Fine in recognition of his outstanding service as a Museum Trustee and as Board Chairman, 1999-2002, 2002.
  • Physical Dimensions: 19 1/2 x 18 x 38 in. (49.5 x 45.7 x 96.5 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. by exchange, in honor of Andrew S. Fine in recognition of his outstanding service as a Museum Trustee and as Board Chairman, 1999-2002
  • Type: Sculpture
  • Rights: © Elizabeth Catlett / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY
  • Medium: Mahogany

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