Major General Philip Kearny 1872 - 1900

This is a bronze bust of Major General Philip Kearny, created by Henry Kirke Brown. Bronze has a long association with commemoration. Think of ancient empires memorializing their leaders, and war heroes. Bronze’s inherent qualities of strength and durability give a sense of permanence, while its ability to capture fine details allows for a high degree of realism. Consider the labor involved in creating this bust. First, a clay model would have been sculpted, then a mold made. Molten bronze poured into the mold, cooled and the mold broken away. Finally, the surface would have been painstakingly finished, with details refined and the patina applied, darkening the surface. Bronze statues like this one were a product of the Industrial Revolution. The ability to mass-produce bronze objects, combined with a growing market for public art, led to a boom in commemorative sculpture. But it’s worth remembering that the skilled labor of the artist, and the many hands involved in the casting and finishing process, are crucial to the work’s overall effect. By understanding how it was made, we gain a deeper appreciation of its historical significance.