Vanderbilt Mantelpiece 1881 - 1883

Augustus Saint-Gaudens created this marble and mosaic mantelpiece for the New York mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, at a time when wealthy industrialists were building lavish homes. This object is a cultural artifact of the late 19th century, a period of great economic inequality in the United States. The figure in the mosaic panel takes visual cues from classical antiquity, symbolizing the wealth and power of the Vanderbilt family, whose name is inscribed in Latin. Flanking the fireplace opening are two caryatids, sculptural figures of women, which also evoke the art of ancient Greece, and act as an architectural support. The mantelpiece stands as a testament to the ways in which art can be used to reinforce social hierarchies and institutional power. By studying the patronage of the arts during this period, we can gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between art, wealth, and social class in American history.