Three nude male bronze figures with white painted faces, displayed outdoors.

Elisabeth Frink: Riace II, III and IV

Art Outdoors /

Elisabeth Frink: Riace II, III and IV

The Riace figures are inspired by the 5th century BCE bronze sculptures that were rediscovered in the sea off the coast of the Riace region of Italy in 1972. Frink said ‘the original figures are very beautiful, but also very sinister, and that is what they are supposed to be’.

Frink had often used masks and goggles to conceal eyes and hide true expressions. She began experimenting with painting the faces of her figures in the early 1980s as a way of introducing colour and drawing our attention to their ambiguous features. These masks, she said later, are ‘a way of showing that their beauty in a sense hides what they are up to’.

An exhibition of Frink’s sculpture, prints and plaster models – Natural Connection – is on display at The Weston until 23 February 2025.

Courtesy The Frink Estate and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Explore our grounds

You may also like

  1. Art Outdoors

    Elisabeth Frink: In Memorium II

    Frink succeeds in capturing a sense of defiance with In Memoriam II as the features of the figure express great sadness but also a sense of dignity.
  2. A bronze seated figure, displayed outdoors.
    Art Outdoors

    Elisabeth Frink: Seated Man II

    Seated Man II relates strongly to Frink’s larger-than-life Riace figures.
  3. William Turnbull Large Idol 1985 Courtesy the artists estate and YSP at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
    Art Outdoors

    William Turnbull: Large Idol

    Large Idol forms part of a series of ‘Idol’ sculptures which William Turnbull made over the course of several years. These minimal works take the human form as a starting point which is then simplified and refined, whilst maintaining a sense of figuration. The titles of these streamlined forms make reference to them perhaps being thought of as ancient gods and being worshipped for their power and beauty.
  4. Elisabeth Frink First Man 1964 at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
    Art Outdoors

    Elisabeth Frink: First Man

    Elisabeth Frink was interested in human and animal forms. She used the male figure to explore the complexities of humanity, exposing both strength and vulnerability, as with First Man.