Joel Barlow c. 1803 - 1913

This is Jean-Antoine Houdon’s marble bust of Joel Barlow. Houdon was a pre-eminent sculptor during a revolutionary period when deeply authoritarian regimes were being challenged. Barlow was an American poet, politician, and businessman whose life offers insights into the complexities of identity and allegiance during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As a diplomat, Barlow negotiated treaties with various European powers. But he was also a figure of controversy, criticized for his involvement in land speculation and his shifting political views. Houdon's classical style elevates Barlow, presenting him as a figure of enlightenment and reason. Yet, looking closely, you can see that the humanity in Barlow's gaze hints at the inner turmoil of a man caught between revolutionary ideals and the pragmatic realities of nation-building. What does it mean to be an American? This bust invites us to consider the multifaceted identities of those who shaped the nation.