Artwork
Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Augustus Saint-Gaudens is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Kenyon Cox. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
Following its inception, the painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently located within the American Wing.
The portrait of Augustus Saint-Gaudens was created in 1908 by the American artist Kenyon Cox. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 85.1 cm in height and 119.7 cm in width. It depicts the sculptor Saint-Gaudens as a man and artist, falling within the religious art genre.
Following its inception, the painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently located within the American Wing. The specific commission details and the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the museum are not detailed in the available records, though the work has been associated with the institution since at least its cataloging. The piece remains a significant representation of the artist Saint-Gaudens by his contemporary, Kenyon Cox.
The 1908 oil-on-canvas portrait of Augustus Saint-Gaudens by Kenyon Cox is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is classified within the museum's American Wing and depicts the sculptor in a religious art genre. While the specific inventory or accession number is not detailed in the provided records, the painting's physical dimensions are documented as 85.1 cm in height and 119.7 cm in width.
The sources confirm the work's location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but do not provide specific details regarding its exhibition history or a unique accession identifier.
Overview
This oil on canvas depicts Kenyon Cox, a significant figure in late 19th-century American art, seated with a paintbrush. The composition highlights his thoughtful demeanor, with soft illumination on his face and hands contrasting a subdued, dark background. The painting captures a moment of quiet contemplation, reflecting Cox's role as both an artist and an intellectual. It offers insight into the artistic personalities of the era.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features Kenyon Cox, a prominent American painter and writer who played a crucial role in shaping the nation's artistic landscape during the late 1800s. Unlike artists who focused solely on landscapes or genre scenes, Cox frequently chose to depict fellow artists and intellectuals. This portrait captures him in a characteristic pose, engaged with his craft, underscoring his identity as a creator and a thinker within the artistic community.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the artwork employs a focused lighting scheme that draws attention to the subject's face and hands. A gentle light illuminates these areas, suggesting a moment of introspective thought, while the surrounding background remains intentionally dark and uncluttered. This stylistic choice emphasizes the sitter's presence and mental state, presenting him with a calm and contemplative expression, poised for his next artistic action.
Context
Housed within The American Wing, this painting contributes to the understanding of American art history from the late 19th century. It represents a period when figures like Kenyon Cox were not only creating art but also actively defining its direction through their writings and artistic practices. The work thus serves as a document of the era's intellectual and artistic currents, highlighting the interconnectedness of painting and critical thought.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kenyon Cox was an American painter, illustrator, muralist, writer, and teacher. Cox was an influential and important early instructor at the Art Students League of New York. He was the designer of the League's logo,…
