
Bernard Meadows (British, 1915–2005). Startled Bird, 1955. Bronze, edition 2/6; 24 x 17 3/8 x 11 1/4 inches (61 x 44.1 x 28.6 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of Seymour H. Knox, Jr., 1958 (K1958:39). © 1955 Estate of Bernard Meadows.
© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.

© Estate of Bernard Meadows
Image downloads are for educational use only. For all other purposes, please see our Obtaining and Using Images page.







Bernard Meadows
British, 1915-2005
Startled Bird, 1955
bronze
Edition: 2/6
overall: 24 x 17 3/8 x 11 1/4 inches (60.96 x 44.13 x 28.57 cm)
Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
Gift of Seymour H. Knox, Jr., 1958
K1958:39
More Details
Inscriptions
Class
Work Type
This information may change due to ongoing research. Glossary of Terms
During the 1950s, Bernard Meadows focused on a series of sculptures depicting mammals, birds, and insects. His work is characterized by the fantastically primal animal emotions they convey, and the imagery of Startled Bird is no exception. Meadows was particularly drawn to the rooster, which he portrays here standing nearly upright, wings outstretched and neck fully extended. This awkward pose expresses the bird’s fear but would also appear threatening to predators. The animal’s agitation is further conveyed in the coarse execution of the sculpture. Initially, Meadows roughed out his subject in plaster over an underlying armature. After it dried, he then modeled the form with more plaster. In its second application, however, the plaster was only slightly tacky and required the use of a palette knife to move it around. Finally, Meadows formalized in bronze the highly texturized surface that resulted from this unique process.
Label from Menagerie: Animals on View, March 11–June 4, 2017
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