Designer: Mary Hecht (1931 – 2013)

Item: Unique bronze sculpture bust possibly titled Mime

Manufactured by: Mary Hecht

Country of origin: United States

Year made: 1972

Materials: Patinated bronze mounted to wood base

Dimensions: 15” x 6 ½” x 4” (with base)

Condition: Excellent

Description: Mary Hecht is becoming a better known American/Canadian sculptor who produced unique lost wax bronze sculptures, often of abstracted allegorical figures from history.  We have not been able to determine which character is depicted here, but this is a fine work of art.  Signed with her initials as was her custom, dated 1972, and retaining a small paper label affixed to the bottom of the wood base with the number 49.  In November 1972 she had a two person show at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and based on the number tag it is possible this was included in that show.  The person who acquired the estate recently advised that based on Hecht's papers this may be a work titled Mime that was exhibited at a gallery in Glens Falls NY in 1985.  It was cast at the Modern Art Foundry in NY.

Hecht studied art at the Art Student’s League and Columbia University in New York City, the University of Cincinnati, University of Iowa, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the Camberwell School of Art in England.  Hecht’s works were commissioned by the likes of the late entertainer Bob Hope and late former Prime Minister of India Jawaharal Nehru.  Her work is in the collections of the Ramapo College, Fairfield University, University of Iowa, and Mount Sinai Hospital of New York City, and others.  Hecht moved to Canada in the mid 1970s where she lived most of her life.  

Hecht is of some renown, because when she was diagnosed with a form of Alzheimer’s she donated herself to the study of brain functioning by making art.  There are many articles on the Internet about this important study and her contributions to science through her art. 

Provenance: Estate of Jacquelyn (Task) Efram, Poughkeepsie, NY.  Efram was as classmate of Hecht at Glens Falls High School class of 1948.  This is one of two works from the Efram estate we have acquired. 

References: Heller, Jules and Nancy G., North American Women Artists of the Twentieth Century A Biographical Dictionary, Garland Publishing, 1995; Fountain, Tom, Mary Hecht: Myth, Theatre and Music: An Exhibition of Sculpture,  A Catalog. London England: Driian Gallery, 1984; Kettlewell, James, Introduction to Mary Hecht, A Catalog.  New Jersey Ramapo College, 1981; Webb, Marshall, Figurative Sculpture, A Catalog. Toronto: Koffler Gallery, 1987.