General Grant 1873 - 1876

This is W.H. Edge’s marble bust of General Grant. Its existence speaks to the power of the military and the cult of personality that often grows up around generals. Made in the United States, the bust is a powerful symbol of the social and political landscape of its time. The sharp lines of Grant's uniform, his stern gaze, and the sheer presence of the marble all convey a sense of authority and strength, reflecting the values and aspirations of a nation still healing from civil war. The bust also embodies the institutional forces at play in the art world of the period. As public art became more prominent, artists sought to capture the likenesses of prominent figures like Grant, thus shaping collective memory. The bust speaks to the intersection of art, politics, and national identity in a society grappling with its past and defining its future. By researching period documents, biographies, and cultural studies, we can fully understand how the bust reflects the social and institutional context in which it was made.