Charles Russell Lowell (1835-1864) 1885

Editor: Here we have Daniel Chester French’s bust of Charles Russell Lowell. I’m immediately struck by the formal, almost stoic, presentation. What can you tell me about the context of such a portrait? Curator: Well, it's interesting to consider how these commemorative sculptures function publicly. Who was Lowell, and why memorialize him in this way at Harvard? Editor: He was a Civil War general and a Harvard graduate, so that certainly speaks to institutional pride and the perpetuation of a certain ideal of heroism. Curator: Exactly. The bust becomes a symbol, reinforcing the values and narratives the university wishes to project. It's a political act, even in its stillness. What do you think? Editor: I now see it’s less about individual likeness and more about constructing a public image of valor and sacrifice. Curator: Precisely. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how institutions use art to shape their identity.