Dame Elisabeth Frink, D.B.E., R.A.

London, Beaux Arts, Elisabeth Frink: A Celebration, 1993 (another cast).

Edward Lucie-Smith, Elisabeth Frink: Sculpture since 1984 and Drawings, Art Books International, London, 1994, no.SC46, pp.59 and 188, illustrated (another cast).

There are traces of dirt on the surface of the sculpture but it is in good overall condition. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
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The sculpture includes a black marble base which was originally made for the piece by Elisabeth Frink.

Conceived in 1989 as an emblem for the television programme 'The Midas Touch' presented by Anthony Sampson and directed by the artist's stepson, Mick Csaky. Edward Lucie-Smith points out that the Midas Head 'is one of the few examples of a work where she seems to have been influenced by Henry Moore. As in Moore's Helmet Heads, Frink integrates the head and what covers it, the body and its carapace. The hollowness of the miser's ambition is symbolized by the hollow helmet which is also his head. The dark void within can be perceived through the empty eyesockets. It is, however, in keeping with its original function, a rather stylised, decorative work. It is clear that Frink wanted to create something which was immediately recognisable as soon as it appeared.' (op.cit., p.58)

For various studio photographs of the artist working on Midas Head, see Edward Lucie-Smith and Elisabeth Frink , Frink: A Portrait,  Bloomsbury, London, 1994, pp.72, 74 and 98 (which also shows the presenter and director of The Midas Touch.)