Andrew W. Mellon 1954

Here we have Walker Hancock’s stone portrait of Andrew W. Mellon. It's a bas-relief, so the carving is shallow. Hancock has constructed different ways of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world through the texture and material used. Notice the soft, almost buttery quality of the stone. Hancock coaxes a sense of volume and depth, despite the shallowness of the carving. See how the light gently catches the cheekbone, the brow, and the little upturn of the mustache. The stone has a pale, warm tone, almost flesh-like, which adds to the feeling of intimacy. It's not just a likeness; it's a presence. I think of Rodin when I look at this piece. Like Rodin, Hancock understood how to use the material to convey emotion and character. It's a quiet conversation between the artist and the stone, a dance of light and shadow. Ultimately, it celebrates the human form.