Charles William Eliot (1834-1926) 1910

Curator: This is Louis McClellan Potter's marble bust of Charles William Eliot, who was president of Harvard for forty years. Editor: It gives the immediate impression of austere dignity. The tightly buttoned coat, the severe gaze... Curator: Consider the surface treatment. Potter's strategic use of smoothing and subtle texturing speaks to the sitter’s intellectual refinement and formidable character. Editor: Indeed, the marble itself, so pristine, suggests purity of thought, a monument to Enlightenment ideals. The sharp lines of the coat contrast with the softer modeling of the face, maybe signifying the tension between public duty and private intellect? Curator: An interesting interpretation, emphasizing how the artist uses form to convey Eliot’s complex persona. Editor: Overall, the bust communicates the weight of leadership, a symbolic cornerstone of higher education. Curator: A poignant analysis when thinking about Potter's short lifespan and legacy.