Southern Folk Art Limestone Carving of a Kissing Couple

Prestonsburg, Floyd County, Kentucky (found)
Circa: 1930-40
Size: 8” x 8” x 9” (h)
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This dynamic limestone sculpture, carved in the round, was found decades ago near a riverbed in Prestonsburg, Floyd County, Kentucky. It shows two figures engaging in an intimate moment frozen in time.

The relative softness and porosity of limestone make it ideal for carving. However, these factors work against achieving the fine detail you can in marble, so most limestone carvings are broad. That's why the life captured in this limestone carving is so surprising and catches us a bit off-guard.

The energy between the figures is evident and difficult to achieve in any material, let alone limestone. The male and female nude figures embrace in a kiss with the man's hand on her upper thigh. The woman's left arm is around his neck, while her right arm appears to be slightly pushing against his advance—maybe whispering, "Slow it down a bit."

Details like his bent back right leg and his toes pressed into the ground, the angular pitch to their bodies, her aforementioned right arm against his chest, and their cheeks coming together are all acutely rendered. This embrace has a lot of language, and the moment is fully realized.

Looking at the man's broad back reminds me of the Lucian Freud portrait of Leigh Bowery that hangs at The Met.

Carvings that effectively convey situational engagements like this are rare, and this small sculpture packs a lot of life into the stone.

Though the artist is unknown, given its age, southern origins, and some stylistic similarities, one can't help but wonder about its relationship to the work of William Edmondson.

Condition: Excellent with wear commensurate with age.

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE

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