Wyatt Eaton 1883 - 1898

This bronze portrait medallion of Wyatt Eaton was made by Olin Levi Warner in the late nineteenth century. The piece is interesting because of the way it bridges the gap between sculpture and something more like industrial production. Bronze medallions like this one were often made using a process called lost-wax casting. This begins with a detailed model, which is then used to create a mold. Molten bronze is poured into the mold, and once cooled, the mold is broken away to reveal the final form. The result is an object that feels both crafted and somehow reproducible. The intense heat required for bronze casting, and the labor involved in refining the metal, imbue the medallion with a sense of transformation. Warner’s skill is evident in the crisp detail of Eaton’s features. This medallion exemplifies how artists of the time were experimenting with industrial techniques to produce multiples, while still maintaining a connection to handcraft. It is a reminder of the complex relationship between art, labor, and the burgeoning industrial age.