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Burning House

Maker (American, 1922-1981)
Date1958
MediumPine, cast brass bell, tin, glass, rope, and enamel
DimensionsOverall: 42-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 15-3/4 in. (107.3 x 29.8 x 40 cm)
Credit LineThe H.C. Westermann Study Collection, Partial Gift of the Estate of Joanna Beall Westermann and the Beall Family and Partial Purchase, The Paul and Miriam Kirkley Fund for Acquisitions, and through contributions from Alan and Dorothy Press, and Henry and Gilda Buchbinder
Object number2008.13.1
Object TypeSculpture
On View
Not on view
Burning House is one of several house-themed sculptures created by H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann. This example, made as a gift for then long-distance girlfriend Joanna Beall, is meticulously handcrafted and imbued with personal references. During this time, "Cliff" and Joanna corresponded daily and made plans to marry in March of 1959. The bottom of this sculpture is signed "Love Cliff, 1958." Another personal touch is Westermann's pet name for Joanna, "Joanny," painted on a glass window in the tower. In contrast to the light-hearted character of the brightly colored house itself, tin flames spew out of the front and one of the side windows. A pull chain dropping out of a hole in the back of the house connects to a brass bell inside the structure. It is unknown if the bell was intended to sound as an alarm bell (in connection to the flames), a school bell, or as a wedding bell, perhaps as a token of the artist's love for his soon-to-be-wife.
Korea [case]
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1965
Untitled ("J & C Box")
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1959
Korea
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1965
Willi
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
circa 1974
Monument to Martha
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1960
Ghost (Death Ship)
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1964 - 1965
Untitled (for Jean Frumkin)
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1971
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
circa 1978 - 1980
Korea [twisted rope]
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1965
Korea [twisted rope ball]
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
1965
Processional Cross of Cong (after medieval original by Maeljesu MacBratdan O'Echan)
Edmond Johnson
circa 1891 - 1892 (facsimile, after circa 1123 original)