620

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, 1848-1907), "Head of Christ," from the Memorial of Reverend Phillips Brooks, Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston (1896-1907),

bronze, 1 of 2 cast in the 1960s after the plaster original (per the original Sotheby's catalog description), cast signature on rear self-base and dated MCMV (1905), monogrammed "ATSG" right proper shoulder; accompanied with Sotheby Parke-Bernet 1981 catalogue page and sales receipt,
H.- 15 in., W.- 6 1/2 in., D.- 6 1/2 in.

  • Provenance: (Plaster) Graham Gallery, New York, purchased from Piccirilli Studio, New York; Sotheby Park-Bernet, New York, January 29, 1981, lot 149; purchased by Dr. James W. Nelson, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Estate of Laura Simon Nelson, formerly married to Dr. James W. Nelson, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Special thank you to the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park for their assistance and input on this work.
  • Literature: (Catalogue raisonne) John H. Dryfhout, The Work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, 1848-1907 (Hanover: UP of New England, 1982) pp. 299-300, no. 212-2.

    Note: The Memorial Statue of Reverend Phillips Brooks for Trinity Church, Copley Square in Boston, was the final work executed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens; the "Head of Christ" the last his hands touched, as the memorial was completed and unveiled posthumously in 1910. Saint-Gaudens considered this work to be among the most important and challenging of all his commissions: the revered came fairly easily, but how to truly portray the Christian "Son of God" was an extraordinary honor, but mindboggling feat, for which only four known bronze busts exist (this believed to be a rare addition of two).

    Saint-Gaudens read copious books on the "Life of Christ"; he studied depictions of Christ in medieval churches, depictions of Old Masters (particularly Rembrandt), and the contemporary works of fellow artists James Tissot and Henry Adams. When the former could not give him the guidance he sought, he consulted the latter, who told him to read the Bible. Saint-Gaudens was consumed, even tortured, by capturing both the great spirituality of Christ, as well as the great depth of humanity he possessed as man. Finally, at last, tired and fatigued at the end of his own life, contemplating the Christian savior of his own immortal being, he completed this head of Christ. Once placed upon the shoulders of Christ, Saint-Gaudens felt the mysticism a bit lost, and had his assistant Frances Grimes cloak the head of Christ for the final figural bronze memorial. Perhaps to fully understand the extraordinary undertaking and rareness of this work, it is best to read the thoughts of the artist and those closest to him, later published in 1913 as "The Reminiscences of Saint-Gaudens by the artist's son Homer:

    "As his reflection on the nature of Christ continued, the sculptor ‘began to express a genuine faith in his conception of the physical image of Christ as a man, tender yet firm, suffering yet strong.' The sculptor's change in attitude dramatically affected the evolution of his figure of ‘Christ.' He changed the ‘Christ's' face from the dead but risen Presence, to a helpful, human living presence'….Henry Hering [his personal assistant] attributed the alternation of the ‘Christ' to the sculptor's losing his hold on outside help of any kind, and, as a man with a will, determining to live."
  • Condition: In overall very good condition with excellent patina and no visible losses or repairs. The vertical lines on the right side of the base are slightly deeper- variation is innate from casting. Please see additional in situ photographs.
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    ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD "AS IS." NO STATEMENT REGARDING CONDITION OF ANY ITEM, WHETHER IT IS MADE ORALLY AT THE AUCTION OR ANY OTHER TIME, OR IN WRITING IN THE CATALOGUE OR ELSEWHERE, SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY.


    Condition is not stated in the description of the item. The absence of a condition report does not mean that the item is free of damage or condition issues. Some items do show signs of age or wear. CCAG strongly suggests that you do not bid without requesting a condition report. Requests for condition reports will not be honored after 5 p.m. CST on the Tuesday prior to the auction.

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November 9, 2024 10:00 AM CST
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