Newman Galleries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1974

Charles N. Aronson, Sculptured Hyacinths, New York, 1973, pp. 145-155, 211, illustrations of another example
Janis Conner and Joel Rosenkranz, Rediscoveries in American Sculpture: Studio Works, 1893-1939, Austin, Texas, 1989, p. 40
Janis Conner, Leah Rosenblatt Lehmbeck, Thayer Tolles, Captured Motion: The Sculpture of Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, A Catalogue of Works, New York, 2006, pp. 38, 51, 71, 84, 247, illustrations of other examples pp. 72, 172, 173, 247

Very good condition, plumbed as a fountain, 2 retouches to minor scratches on right shoulder and thigh.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Captured Motion, the definitive publication on Harriet Whitney Frishmuth's sculpture calls Humoresque "one of [the artist's] lovliest fountains...The curvaceous sea nymph grasps a fish that curls around her shoulder while she prances upon a large fish beneath her feet.  Modeled with great attention to detail, the fish is piped to allow water to spring in an arc from its open mouth" (Captured Motion: The Sculpture of Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, 2006, p. 171).  In 1924, Frishmuth received a commission from her long time patron, Valeria Langeloth, to design a garden sculpture for the Valerie Home, a convalescent residence in Oscawana, New York.  Frishmuth made six maquettes from which Ms. Langeloth could choose and Humoresque was her favorite.  Desha Deltei🥂l, a dancer and model who inspired more than thirty of Frishmuth's pieces, modeled for the sculpture.  

In addition to the version installed in the Valerie home, Frishmuth cast eight additional bronzes between 1925 and 1962 in the same 43 inch size.  Of these, two were cast at the American Art Foundry in 1925 and 1926, one of which is the present work, six were cast at J. Gorham & Sons, and one🌸 was produced by Roman Bronze Works.  During the 1920s, Frishmuth employed mulꦐtiple foundries in an effort to reduce costs and ensure the highest quality bronzes.   In 1925, 1929 and 1931 three monumental casts of the sculpture were also cast.