Source

"Source" is a captivating public artwork by American artist Tony Smith, prominently exhibited at the Cleveland Museum of Art in the Donna and Stewart Kohl Sculpture Garden in Cleveland, Ohio. This impressive black steel sculpture consists of two distinct sections bolted together. Its name draws inspiration from Gustave Courbet's 1864 painting "The Source at the Loue." Notably, this sculpture is the first in an edition of three; the second belongs to the Tony Smith Estate, and the third remains uncreated.

Tony Smith had a distinctive approach to his art, often incorporating modular pieces based on geometric shapes such as tetrahedrons and octahedrons. He was known for reusing elements from his earlier works. "Source" emerged after he dismantled the model for his 1962 sculpture "Gracehoper (2/3)." Another subsequent work, "Moses (1/3)" followed in 1968. The Cleveland Museum of Art acquired "Source" in 2001, courtesy of a generous donation from the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company.

Over the years, "Source" has been relocated multiple times within the museum's grounds. Since at least 2003, it has been displayed near the building's northeast corner. In 2010, it found a new home on the east lawn of the Donna and Stewart Kohl Sculpture Garden. That same year, the sculpture underwent essential conservation, including cleaning, corrosion removal, surface smoothing, and a fresh coat of paint. This restoration and relocation were supervised by conservator Shelley Paine and documented in a YouTube video featured on the museum's website.