Spirit of the Dance

Additional Information

Spirit of the Dance expresses an important concept in Zorach’s oeuvre: rhythm. In his sculpture, rhythm arises from the interrelationship of forms, the most basic of which is composed of a curve, a straight line, and a reverse curve. According to Zorach, rhythm is “continuity—flow—an untiring, non-monotonous movement . . . a quality without which any art is lifeless and dead.” He felt that rhythm was manifested most strongly in dance. In Spirit of the Dance a simply rhythmic pattern can be seen in the curve of the head and neck that joins with the straight line of the upright torso, which in turn is connected to the reverse curve of the buttocks and thigh. On loan by by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1974