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George Segal — Dangling Arm
George Segal

Dangling Arm

1970

Dangling Arm (1970) presents one of George Segal's most quietly arresting sculptural fragments: a single human arm cast in raw white plaster, suspended in a state of passive surrender. Segal developed his signature casting process by wrapping living subjects in plaster-soaked bandages, a method that preserved the precise texture of skin, the tension of tendons, and the subtle weight of flesh with an intimacy no modeled sculpture could replicate. The result here is an object that hovers between presence and absence, between the human body and its ghostly residue, carrying the psychological density for which Segal became celebrated during his decades at the forefront of American figurative art. At 90.2 by 41.9 by 15.9 centimeters, the work operates on a scale that is emphatically bodily without being monumental. The arm becomes a kind of relic, isolated from its figure and yet entirely self-sufficient as a sculptural object. The chalky, matte surface invites close inspection while maintaining a cool remove, and the tilted, yielding posture of the limb communicates exhaustion, ease, or resignation in ways that language can only approximate. Segal's ability to distill complex human states into spare, fragment-based compositions places this work in conversation with both Pop art and the quieter existentialist currents running through postwar American sculpture. Signed and offered through Broadway 1602, Dangling Arm represents a rare opportunity to acquire a distinct and historically significant example of Segal's practice from a pivotal year in his career. The work requires no frame and presents beautifully as a freestanding or wall-mounted piece. Its compact scale makes it exceptionally versatile within a sophisticated collection, while its conceptual and emotional depth ensure it commands attention far beyond its physical dimensions.

Medium
Plaster
Overall
Signed
Yes

For Sale — $45000

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About this work

George Segal, Dangling Arm, 1970

Dangling Arm (1970) presents one of George Segal's most quietly arresting sculptural fragments: a single human arm cast in raw white plaster, suspended in a state of passive surrender. Segal developed his signature casting process by wrapping living subjects in plaster-soaked bandages, a method that preserved the precise texture of skin, the tension of tendons, and the subtle weight of flesh with an intimacy no modeled sculpture could replicate. The result here is an object that hovers between presence and absence, between the human body and its ghostly residue, carrying the psychological density for which Segal became celebrated during his decades at the forefront of American figurative art. At 90.2 by 41.9 by 15.9 centimeters, the work operates on a scale that is emphatically bodily without being monumental. The arm becomes a kind of relic, isolated from its figure and yet entirely self-sufficient as a sculptural object. The chalky, matte surface invites close inspection while maintaining a cool remove, and the tilted, yielding posture of the limb communicates exhaustion, ease, or resignation in ways that language can only approximate. Segal's ability to distill complex human states into spare, fragment-based compositions places this work in conversation with both Pop art and the quieter existentialist currents running through postwar American sculpture. Signed and offered through Broadway 1602, Dangling Arm represents a rare opportunity to acquire a distinct and historically significant example of Segal's practice from a pivotal year in his career. The work requires no frame and presents beautifully as a freestanding or wall-mounted piece. Its compact scale makes it exceptionally versatile within a sophisticated collection, while its conceptual and emotional depth ensure it commands attention far beyond its physical dimensions.

Medium
Plaster
Dimensions
overall: 90.2 x 41.9 x 15.9 cm
Year
1970
Signed
Hand-signed by the artist
Seen at
Broadway 1602

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Collected by

Sharrissa Iqbal