The Long Beach Museum of Art dedicated a Bertoia welded sculpture, Flora Fauna, 1964, in the Museum’s sculpture garden in 1966. Following the dedication of Flora Fauna, Museum patrons, the Rosenbaums, approached Bertoia about a commission to be installed at their home in Long Beach. They sent photographs of their home to him in Pennsylvania and Bertoia remarked “your garden is so beautiful especially for one whose feet have just left the snows.” Bertoia wrote to them that stainless steel would be the best suited for a seaside location and that the “wires are so balanced that the sculpture’s best form is arrived at when level at the base.” Though he was enthusiastic about the commission, Bertoia’s production schedule was less swift than the Rosenbaums wished, thus the title of the sculpture as Bertoia described it in a letter to the Rosenbaums.

2008-2009: "Modernism and The Wichner Collection," November 7, 2008 - August 16, 2009, Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, California

Abstract steel wire sculpture

This object has the following keywords:

• Abstract
• American
• Flowers
• male
• Male
• Metal
• Modernism
• Sculpture
• Steel

• H: 48; W: 28; D: 29 inches Dimensions: 48 x 28 x 29 in. (121.92 x 71.12 x 73.66 cm)

• Owner Name: Harry Bertoia
  Role: Artist
  Place: Bally, Pennsylvania
  Dates: 1966, 1966
  
  
• Owner Name: Dr. and Mrs. Maurice Rosenbaum
  Role: donor
  Place: Long Beach, California
  Dates: 1966, November 25, 1992
  
  

This object is a member of the following portfolios: