Ernest Tino Trova (American, 1927-2009). Falling Man, Edition #1 of 8, 1986. Signed and dated "E. Trova 1/8 1986" on base. Stainless Steel. An exciting sculpture from Ernest Trova's famous "Falling Man" series. Trova's "Falling Man" compositions - including sculpture, paintings, and prints - are "about man at his most imperfect" and feature an armless figure as we see in this example. In true Trova style, this figure boasts a dynamic design as many of the elements are hinged and move to present another manifestation of the Falling Man - and despite Trova's representation of imperfection, the surface is lustrous, as if to represent all that is shiny and new. Size sculpture: 14.375" H (36.5 cm) including base. Size of base: 4.625" L x 4.625" W (11.7 cm x 11.7 cm)

Trova continued to create "Falling Man" works through the 1970s and 80s, creating the sculptures in various materials such as nickel and chrome-plated bronze, enamel on aluminum, as well as stainless steel like this example - finishing each piece with an industrial sheen. Trova himself described the Falling Man as "a personal hypothetical theory on the nature of man," and also stated, "I believe that man is first of all an imperfect creature. The first reaction I usually get to this is that I'm pessimistic. I don't think I am.... It's very close to many theories of man — the Catholic view that man is a fallen creature, for example."

Born in Clayton, Missouri, Ernest Trova's was greatly influenced by his father, an inventor and industrial tool designer. Following his father's death, Trova became a window dresser for a department store. Although he was primarily an autodidact, Trova was also influenced by artists such as Willem DeKooning, Jean Dubuffet, and Francis Bacon. This said, the mannequins that he worked with at the department store also influenced Trova artistically.

In 1963,Trova had a solo exhibition at the Pace Gallery in New York City, where he continued to show his work for over 20 years. Trova's works have been collected by such esteemed institutions as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the St. Louis Art Museum in his native Missouri. Trova also co-founded Laumeier Sculpture Park in 1975, gifting more than 40 large-scale artworks to St. Louis County.

Ernest Trova's Ed. 8/8 stainless steel "Falling Man" (1986) of a similar size sold with a hammer of $26,000 by Ivey-Selkirk Auctioneers on May 17, 2008, lot 939.

Provenance: Private Fullerton, California Collection

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#168266

Signed and dated "E. Trova 1/8 1986" on base. Ever so slight scuffs of the buttocks of the figure that are difficult to see. Minor darkening at the juncture between the pedestal and base. Otherwise, intact and excellent.