"The Gymnast - State I" is a stunning bronze sculpture by celebrated contemporary figurative artist Richard MacDonald (b. 1946)

The Apex of Athleticism: Richard MacDonald's "The Gymnast - State I" (1995)

The Apex of Athleticism: Richard MacDonald's "The Gymnast - State I" (1995)

"The Gymnast - State I" is a stunning bronze sculpture by celebrated contemporary figurative artist Richard MacDonald (b. 1946), capturing the power, grace, and focused intensity of an elite gymnast. Executed in 1995, this piece holds significant historical and artistic value as it originates from MacDonald's first series of smaller, 1/8 life-size versions of his monumental sculpture, The Flair Across America - The Gymnast (also known simply as The Flair). The original, large-scale version of this work was created for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and remains MacDonald's most accomplished and widely recognized public commission, gracing the Georgia World Congress Center.

An Immortalized Moment of Effortless Power MacDonald's signature style of dynamic realism is on full display in "The Gymnast - State I." The sculpture, measuring 17 inches high, freezes a moment of peak physical achievement and concentration. The athlete is depicted mid-routine, suspended with seemingly effortless strength, demonstrating the artist's profound ability to translate transient motion into permanent form.

Intricate Detail: Every muscle group is rendered with anatomical precision, highlighting the extreme discipline and conditioning required of an Olympic-level gymnast. The tension in the arms, the arch of the back, and the perfectly pointed toes convey the narrative of intense effort masked by artistic grace.

Variable Patina: The bronze features a variable brown patina, which masterfully enhances the texture and form. The nuanced finish catches the light, underscoring the contours of the figure and adding depth and richness that draw the viewer in to appreciate the work from every angle.

Signature and Date: The piece is clearly inscribed with '© R. MacDonald '95' on the ring, affirming its authenticity and production year.

Provenance and Significance This particular sculpture is a direct and collectible link to one of the most important commissions in MacDonald's career. Its provenance traces directly back through the artist and his primary representation:

Provenance: The artist (Richard MacDonald) → Richard MacDonald Galleries, Carmel, California (acquired in 1996) → Property from the Estate of George R. Bobbitt Jr., San Francisco, California.

As an early, small-scale iteration of the sculpture commissioned for the 1996 Olympics, "The Gymnast - State I" is a testament to the powerful synergy between athletic performance and fine art. MacDonald's work continues to be highly sought after by collectors and institutions worldwide for its ability to immortalize human emotion and physical achievement in bronze, making this a profound and museum-quality celebration of the human form at its absolute peak.

Dimensions 22ʺW × 7.5ʺD × 10ʺH .

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