Long-Billed Curlewc. 19003 3/4 × 17 × 3 1/4"Paint on woodGift of Alastair B. Martin1969.1.1000"R" carved at bottom of tail decoy1535051921Captain Robert AndrewsTools and EquipmentThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.Smith IslandSmith IslandUnited StatesVirginiaThree Dimensional WorksWildfowl DecoysSmith IslandSCULPTUREObject information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgIt is interesting to compare the factory-made curlew to one fashioned by hand by Captain Robert Andrews. Andrews worked as a crew member of the Smith Island Life Savings Station under the command of George Hitchens. He is known to have carved at least one rig with his mates John Henry Downes and Alma Fitchett, as well as individual decoys such as this elegant curlew. He worked at the station until about 1900, when he entered civilian life. Based upon extant examples, Andrews’ decoys exhibit an almost abstract, spare approach to carving and painting, with simple angeld planes for definition and minimal surface carving.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Long-Billed Curlew," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 367.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org.18951905 1969 1 100 SCULPTUREObject information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgIt is interesting to compare the factory-made curlew to one fashioned by hand by Captain Robert Andrews. Andrews worked as a crew member of the Smith Island Life Savings Station under the command of George Hitchens. He is known to have carved at least one rig with his mates John Henry Downes and Alma Fitchett, as well as individual decoys such as this elegant curlew. He worked at the station until about 1900, when he entered civilian life. Based upon extant examples, Andrews’ decoys exhibit an almost abstract, spare approach to carving and painting, with simple angeld planes for definition and minimal surface carving.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Long-Billed Curlew," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 367.
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org.