Artist: Richard MacDonald
Title: Red Dress
Medium: Patina on Bronze Sculpture
Year: 2001
Size: 40.75" x 27.5" x 18.5"
Inscription: Signed, dated and numbered on base
Edition: Half Life, 20/90
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Richard MacDonald's "Red Dress" is a powerful celebration of strength, grace, and the transformative potential of the human form. Standing at 40.75 inches high, this commanding bronze sculpture is rendered at half-life scale—half the size of a human body—possesses a monumental presence. The work exemplifies MacDonald's extraordinary ability to capture motion and emotion in bronze, drawing on his extensive collaborations with elite dancers and performers from Cirque du Soleil, the Royal Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Cast using the ancient lost-wax method, "Red Dress" is a masterclass in precision, anatomy, and dynamic composition. Every inch of the figure is expertly crafted: from the elegant curvature of the dancer's extended limbs to the meticulous folds of the dress that seem to ripple with movement. The figure's pose suggests a moment caught in mid-performance—one foot grounded, the body arcing gracefully, as if music and motion still reverberate through the metal. Despite being solid bronze, the sculpture conveys an unmistakable sense of lightness and flow.
What sets "Red Dress" apart is MacDonald's rare gift for imbuing stillness with vitality. The athletic tension in the figure's musculature, the forward momentum of her gesture, and the emotive tilt of her head all contribute to a sense of presence that transcends material. It's not merely a likeness of a dancer—it's a portrait of energy, spirit, and inner strength.
From a limited edition of 90, MacDonald's "Red Dress" is signed, dated, and numbered on the base. It includes a gallery certificate of authenticity and stands as a testament to the artist's lifelong dedication to classical form, contemporary movement, and the boundless possibilities of the sculpted figure.
About Richard MacDonald
Richard MacDonald is widely recognized as one of the foremost figurative sculptors working today. With a career spanning more than three decades, he has become internationally celebrated for his dynamic bronze sculptures that capture the elegance, strength, and emotional depth of the human form. His work, often associated with the neo-figurative movement, is especially inspired by dance, performance, and the powerful beauty of the body in motion.
MacDonald's artistic journey began as a classically trained painter. He graduated cum laude from the Art Center College of Design in 1971 and went on to achieve success as a commercial illustrator, frequently commissioned to depict major sporting events, including the Olympics. Yet after a decade in illustration, his passion for anatomy and form drew him to sculpture—a medium where movement and emotion could be fully realized in three dimensions.
In 1983, MacDonald turned his focus entirely to sculpture. His transition was met with rapid acclaim, and his bronze works soon earned international recognition for their technical mastery and expressive force. From the start, he was deeply committed to working from life, often sculpting from live models to capture the immediacy and complexity of the human experience.
While dance has long been a subject in art history, MacDonald has redefined it for the contemporary era. Like Degas or Rodin before him, he finds endless inspiration in ballet and performance—but his sculptures are distinct in their anatomical precision, fluidity, and narrative depth. His figures are not mere representations; they are elevated, archetypal forms imbued with spirit, tension, and grace. Whether balancing mid-air or grounded in stillness, each composition celebrates a fleeting moment made eternal in bronze.
MacDonald has collaborated with some of the most iconic performers and companies in the world, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, and Cirque du Soleil. His work has been the subject of prestigious commissions and honors, and he remains an active philanthropist, recognized by institutions such as the United States Olympic Committee for his contributions to the arts and culture.
Today, Richard MacDonald continues to create with the discipline and dedication of the great sculptors of history. His work is sought after by collectors and institutions worldwide, admired for its rare combination of technical virtuosity and emotional resonance.
Born in Pasadena, California in 1946, Richard MacDonald maintains his studio in Monterey, California, where he continues to sculpt, innovate, and inspire.
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