Sketch of "Harlequins" for Henry and Edsel Ford Auditorium
Dublin Core
Title
Sketch of "Harlequins" for Henry and Edsel Ford Auditorium
Subject
Clowns in art
Drawing, American--20th century.
Figure drawing.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Drawing, American--20th century.
Figure drawing.
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Description
Graphite on tracing paper
8.75" x 11.75"
The Ford Empire relief was located in the Ford Auditorium constructed on the Detroit riverfront as the new home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra during 1955-1956. Perhaps the most notable feature of the building's interior was the expansive, curvilinear lobby adorned with some of Marshall Fredericks' most delicate and refined sculptures.
A 145-feet long filigreed metal mural, The Ford Empire, swept almost the entire length of the curved outer wall. On the balcony walls at either end of the foyer stood polished metal theatrical groupings of circus performers, musicians, harlequins, and dancers. Formed from literally thousands of pieces of copper, nickel, brass, stainless steel, and aluminum and plated with gold, zinc, and cadmium these pieces were hand-shaped, joined, plated, and polished.
8.75" x 11.75"
The Ford Empire relief was located in the Ford Auditorium constructed on the Detroit riverfront as the new home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra during 1955-1956. Perhaps the most notable feature of the building's interior was the expansive, curvilinear lobby adorned with some of Marshall Fredericks' most delicate and refined sculptures.
A 145-feet long filigreed metal mural, The Ford Empire, swept almost the entire length of the curved outer wall. On the balcony walls at either end of the foyer stood polished metal theatrical groupings of circus performers, musicians, harlequins, and dancers. Formed from literally thousands of pieces of copper, nickel, brass, stainless steel, and aluminum and plated with gold, zinc, and cadmium these pieces were hand-shaped, joined, plated, and polished.
Creator
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Source
Marshall M. Fredericks Papers
Series VIII, Cabinet 1 Drawer 8 Folder 6
Series VIII, Cabinet 1 Drawer 8 Folder 6
Date
c. 1956
Rights
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Archives.
Relation
VIII-01-08-06
Format
image/jpeg
Type
Graphite drawing
Identifier
1998.001.VIII.216
Drawing Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Graphite drawing
Physical Dimensions
8.75" x 11.75"
Files
Collection
Citation
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Sketch of "Harlequins" for Henry and Edsel Ford Auditorium,” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed October 27, 2025, https://omeka2.svsu.edu/items/show/7323.