Bas-Relief
Bas-Relief
Bas-Relief

Bas-Relief

Object number2019.152.1
Artist
Date1973
MediumCast stone; Paint; Burlap; Cardboard; Adhesive
Credit LineGift of David Argent
DescriptionDark brown, cast stone bas-relief of Ludwig van Beethoven. Relief is rectangular and shows the left-side profile of a figure's head. Figure shows hair brushed back from the face with a few strands falling forward in front of the forehead; head is leaning forward a little and shows a man that is not smiling. Profile also shows a shirt collar that covers part of the chin. Engraved text across the top that is meant to look obscured by the head. Artist signature and date in raised text on lower, proper left corner, and engraved numbers below that along the bottom edge.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 8.25 x 9.813 x 1.75 in. (21 x 24.9 x 4.4 cm)
SignedArtist last name and year in raised text on lower, proper left corner, "NAVRATIL / 73".
InscriptionsEngraved text across top of relief, meant to be partially obscured by Beethoven's head: "BE[head]VEN".
MarksEngraved text on bottom, proper left edge: "41/100".
Historical NotesThis bas-relief of Ludwig van Beethoven was sculpted by Pittsburgh artist Sid Navratil. This relief was part of a series of reliefs Navratil did featuring famous composers, and each one was cast in stone. Cast stone is typically made from pouring some type of concrete mixture into a mold, and it is meant to mimic carved stone. Sid Navratil was originally from Brno, Czechoslovakia, and immigrated to Pittsburgh at age 13. He grew up on the North Side and attended Allegheny High School and then Carnegie Institute of Technology for graphic design and painting, graduating in 1941. In addition to his design work for local corporations, Navratil worked as a freelance artist, specializing in bas relief work which can be found throughout the city. The Beethoven relief was part of his composer series and hung in his home. He passed away in 2002 at age 86.
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