Search

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

About arrow_back

Admission for everyone is always free! Check here for current hours and more.

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

Collections arrow_back

The Johnson Museum holds more than 40,000 works in its collection from around the world.

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

Exhibitions arrow_back

Check out what’s on view this season at the Museum and look back through our history.

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

Events arrow_back

Free events for everyone, plus special programs for students, families, and more!

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

Learn arrow_back

The Johnson Museum actively contributes to the intellectual life of our campus and community.

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

Support arrow_back

Help the Johnson Museum continue its legacy by making a gift today.

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

Melvin Edwards

(American, born 1937)

Homage to My Father and the Spirit

View All Works

Object Details

Artist

Melvin Edwards

Date

1969

Medium

Stainless steel and painted steel

Dimensions

Height: 96 inches (243.8 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired with funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, and through the generosity of individual donors

Object
Number

69.089

This sculpture is installed at the Appel Commons Community Center off Cradit Farm Drive. Melvin Edwa(…)

This sculpture is installed at the Appel Commons Community Center off Cradit Farm Drive. Melvin Edwards begins with ideas and proceeds to thought-provoking shapes. This work, commissioned by Tom Leavitt (the Museum’s first director, from 1968 to 1991) for Cornell, is a tribute to the encouragement offered by his father to the sculptor as he developed into a mature artist. Its two evocative shapes may suggest their relationship: a large reflective disk, and two rows of steps based on the step pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt, honoring the eternal life of the pharaoh, Djoser.

Discover More

Israeli Dancer

Victor Colby

Diva

William Zorach

Sounding Sculpture

Harry Bertoia

Create an account

Please take a moment to fill your information to create your account.

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Save Artwork

Save the artwork in any of your exhibitions or create a new one.

You have not made any exhibitions.

Create New Exhibition

Create New Exhibition