Nocturne

The Czech-American artist Mario Korbel created many works for the Booths at Cranbrook House. This casting of Nocturne was purchased by George Booth through the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts in 1920, the same year the first casts were made from the model. This iteration of the sculpture showcases Korbel’s experimentation with patination at this time; the deep green surface of the figure’s body creates a rich contrast with the rough gilding applied to the hair and drapery. The mottled, shimmering coloring and underlying dark tone of both surfaces evokes the gentle illumination of moon or starlight, suiting the work to its title, Nocturne.

Nocturne forms part of a series of pieces from the 1920s by Korbel at Cranbrook depicting times of day, alongside the small figure Night (CEC 240) and the life-size Dawn (CEC 460).

Mariam Hale
2023-2025 Collections Fellow
Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research
April 2024

Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts (founded 1906)

Founded on June 26, 1906, the Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts provided an environment where artists, craftsmen, architects, and designers could share ideas and coordinate activities to raise the level of American craftsmanship. Out of their showroom, works by major craftsmen active in Europe and America were exhibited and sold. George Booth was not only one of the founders of the Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts, but also its first president.

The Society’s showroom operated from 1916, when it opened a new building on Watson Street in Detroit, until 1958, when the mission of the Society shifted toward design education (the Art School of the Society of Arts and Crafts had been established in 1926). George Booth worked closely with the Society’s Secretary Helen Plumb sourcing objects for display and sale in the showroom; George Booth also filled his home, Cranbrook House, with items he purchased or commissioned for the showroom. Beyond George Booth, Ellen and the entire Booth family patronized the Society’s showroom for gifts and furnishings for their respective homes. The Booth family continued support of the Society well into the second half of the 20th century, as it reincorporated as the Center for Creative Studies - College of Art and Design (1975 to 2001) and later the College for Creative Studies (2001-present).

Kevin Adkisson
Curator
Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research
November 2021