Glenna Goodacre Bronze Sculpture titled “Dawn”

"Dawn": A Testament to Hope and New Beginnings in Glenna Goodacre's Bronze Artistry

Glenna Goodacre, a revered bronze sculptor, has left an indelible mark in the world of art with her ground-breaking works. Among her many creations, the patinated piece titled "Dawn" stands out as a beautiful and inspiring masterpiece.

"Dawn" portrays a woman, draped only in a towel around her waist, gazing upwards, presumably at the sun during the early morning hours. Goodacre's works are known for their uplifting nature, but "Dawn" is particularly striking for its evocation of hope, optimism, and the promise of a new beginning.

The woman in the sculpture stands tall and poised, her arms folded around her chest beneath her bare breasts. This posture exudes a sense of radiance and unabashed confidence. Goodacre's brilliant craftsmanship is evident in the highly detailed carving of the woman's slender body. The towel in her right hand, draped over her left side, is folded in a manner that showcases Goodacre's exceptional skill in creating lifelike sculptures.

What sets this piece apart from many of Goodacre's other works is its unique color - a soothing greenish-blue patinated bronze. This tranquil tone offers a harmonious calm that beautifully contrasts with the boldness of the figure, further enhancing the overall impact of the sculpture.

The piece is signed Dawn, 1995 G Goodacre 8/50.

Glenna Goodacre was a Texas-born sculptor who eventually settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She remains one of the most well-known artists in the world of Western sculpture. Her works appear in public, private, municipal, and museum collections throughout the United States. The Vietnam Women's Memorial, installed in Washington D.C. in 1993, is likely her most famous piece. She was selected to create the monumental Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, which was installed in 2003, a larger than life-size sculpture of Ronald Reagan for the Reagan Library in California, the design of the Sacagawea dollar coin for the U.S. government, and many more monumental and significant works.

Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020) was represented by Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe for over a decade with annual exhibits of her works. A fall at her home in 2007 resulted in a serious brain injury, which put a temporary end to her art career. Goodacre died of natural causes in 2020, leaving behind her an incredible legacy.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Glenna Goodacre Bronze Sculpture titled "Dawn" is from a client from Colorado

Recommended Reading: Glenna Goodacre: The First 25 Years: A Retrospective Exhibition of Sculpture

TAGS: Santa Fe, New Mexico, bronze sculpture, Glenna Goodacre