John Howard, the Prison Philanthropist c. 1893 - 1894

Curator: Gilbert's bronze sculpture, "John Howard, the Prison Philanthropist", presents a figure in contemplation, arms crossed, elevated on a decorative base. Editor: The bronze gives an air of gravitas, but the way the light catches those folds in his coat suggests a dynamism— a call to action, perhaps? Curator: Considering Gilbert's background, his exploration of lost-wax casting would have been innovative for the time. Think about the labor and skill involved in realizing such detail in bronze. Editor: Absolutely, but beyond the process, Howard's work to reform prison conditions resonates profoundly even today. It speaks to broader issues of social justice. What is a prison for, who is it for? Curator: It's a striking tension, the heavy materiality juxtaposed with the lightness of social reform. Editor: Indeed, the piece invites us to consider both the tangible and intangible aspects of societal change.