The Four Elements: Earth

Library Reading Room, second floor

Main Building

The Four Elements: Earth

1914

Paul Manship (American, 1885–1966)

Architect William Welles Bosworth commissioned this bronze panel to adorn the facade of the new headquarters of the American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) Company at the corner of Broadway and Fulton Streets in New York. An exceptional example of Paul Manship's early decorative style, this panel reflects an important shift in the artist's work, uniting his interest in archaic Greek and Renaissance sculpture with a new passion for Chinese, Indian, and other non-Western art forms.

Library Reading Room, Perelman Building, second floor

Object Details

Title:

The Four Elements: Earth

Date:

1914

Artist:

Paul Manship (American, 1885–1966)

Medium:

Bronze

Dimensions:

37 1/2 × 68 3/4 inches (95.3 × 174.6 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Gift of Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest in honor of Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman, 2006

Accession Number:

2006-40-1

Geography:

Made in New York, New York, United States, North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Library Reading Room, second floor

Main Building

Museum map