Four Thousande Yeeres; For Melke and Chese and Buttere for Ther Bred

Artist / Maker Christian Petersen (Danish - American, 1885 - 1961)

Date1935

OriginU.S.A.

MediumPainted plaster

DimensionsEach panel: 132 x 84 x 6 in. (335.3 x 213.4 x 15.2 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineCommissioned by Iowa State College. In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberU88.65ab

Status

On view

Collections

Label TextThe entrance hall of the Dairy Industry (Food Sciences) building contains two sculptures which were added after the History of Dairying courtyard mural. The first of these large panels shows ancient methods in a calm, classicizing style. Its inscription, in block letters at the bottom, "For melke and chese and buttere for ther bred/ The abram mymmen slaved and laboured longe" describes a contrast with the second panel which shows more modern practices: "Four thousand yeeres pass by before man thinkes/ To chaunge these ploddin ghoures to houres of songe." The old English inscriptions were provided by Petersen's friend, J.C. Cunningham, a poet and professor of corn genetics. The related paper studies show Petersen's process in developing his concept for the two sculptures. They suggest only a portion of the ideas, designs and compositions he considered- sometimes in great detail- before settling on an image. One study shows an early concept of the two panels, which was rejected for more complex narratives and a more classical, less modern design.

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