Initialed on base: “DVT”. From the estate of the artist. In fine condition.
Two known lifetime casts exist: One cast in 1936 and now in the collection of the Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, MN, the other privately commissioned in 1974. A posthumous edition of 12 in bronze will be available.
This was possibly the first major sculpture completed by Dudley Vaill Talcott upon his return from the Arctic Circle. It is possible that The Loafer (also called “The Loafing Fisherman”) is a sculpted portrait of Isak Isaksen, Talcott’s father-in-law, skipper, mentor, and friend. Isaksen was also the skipper of Norkap and Norkap II. The Norkap and Norkap II boats are also the subject of Talcott’s book, “Report of the Company,” published in 1936.
Exhibited: Grace Horne Galleries, Boston, MA, 1938 in bronze; New York World’s Fair, New York City, NY, 1939 in bronze; Farmington Village Library, Farmington, CT, 1974 in bronze.
Published: Boston Evening Transcript, January 29,1938; Boston Sunday Post, January 30,1938; Official Guide Book, New York World’s Fair, 1939.