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
January 2024
ProvenanceGeorge Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth (1920-1949)
Cranbrook Foundation (1949-1973)
Cranbrook Educational Community (1973-present)
Credit LineCranbrook Center for Collections and Research
Cultural Properties Collection, Founders Collection
Bequest of George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth through the Cranbrook Foundation
Medium / MaterialsBronze and gilding
SignedSigned: Mario Korbel / (C) 1920 / Roman Bronze Works, New York.
GenreObject TypeStatues
Alternate Title(s)
- Draped Nude
Cranbrook House: August 13, 2013 through October 2014
Select Bibliography and Archival Citation(s)Appraisal by Stalker & Boos (1975). Series II: Appraisals and Inventories. George Gough and Ellen Warren Scripps Booth Financial Records (1981-02). Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Cranbrook Archives, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
There are no works to discover for this record.