Mildred Howells 1897

Curator: Let’s discuss Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ “Mildred Howells,” created in 1897, which we can see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: The immediate thing that strikes me is the subtle sheen of the metal, the way it seems to almost glow from within. There's something timeless about the profile, almost like a Roman coin, but much more fluid. Curator: Yes, Saint-Gaudens was certainly channeling classical traditions. Portrait reliefs like this one became quite fashionable among certain echelons of society in the late 19th century. It served to evoke a certain prestige, echoing the traditions of European nobility commissioning busts and paintings. Editor: Exactly. Think about the production process for these. There’s something very tactile implied in its making, the pressing and shaping of the metal, the physical labor of translating a likeness into this durable medium. And the decision to work with metal – a material of industry, progress, even currency – adds layers. What's your perspective on that materiality? Curator: That's insightful. These aren’t just objects of aesthetic admiration, they become potent signifiers within social circles. The art itself serves as a symbol of cultivated taste, social standing and, frankly, disposable income within these gilded age circles. And how these pieces were displayed would also serve a social purpose. Editor: It makes you wonder about the choices behind the making. About how a very deliberate manipulation of materials—the chasing, the patinas, how metal can feel so cold yet so alive under skilled hands—reflects power dynamics. Who gets immortalized in such a way, and with what intended effect? Curator: The choice of classical style certainly elevated the subject. While it’s a portrait of an individual, it's also carefully constructing a public image meant to communicate particular social values, and align the subject with the long and celebrated artistic traditions of western civilization. Editor: The beauty is inseparable from the socio-economic factors enabling its very existence and how someone is portrayed in such a relief. A thought worth remembering as we admire this elegant object. Curator: Indeed. A poignant reminder of the many stories embedded within its metallic form.