James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) 1896

Curator: Here we see Charles Calverley’s bronze portrait of James Russell Lowell, a 19th-century intellectual. Editor: It projects a strong, somewhat severe countenance, doesn't it? The circular form concentrates attention on the face and the inscription. Curator: The wreath, too, suggests Lowell’s status as a literary figure, echoing classical precedents while placing him within an American lineage of thinkers and writers. His very serious gaze appears as if judging us. Editor: Yes, and the way the artist models the bronze, catching the light on his beard and features, lends a sense of gravitas. This is a formal, honorific work. Curator: It does feel like a deliberate attempt to enshrine Lowell's memory, framing him as an exemplar of American intellectualism. The red fabric in the background brings the bronze details to life. Editor: I agree. It’s a striking composition, one that clearly communicates respect and reverence for its subject. Curator: A small but powerful encapsulation of a life lived in service of literature and thought. Editor: Indeed. A very worthy representation.