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Catalog Data

Artist:
Thomas Ball, born Charlestown, MA 1819-died Montclair, NJ 1911  Search this
Medium:
marble
Dimensions:
46 7/8 x 17 1/2 x 19 1/4 in. (119.1 x 44.5 x 48.9 cm.)
Type:
Sculpture
Date:
1875
Luce Center Label:
Saint John the Evangelist was one of the few allegorical sculptures that Thomas Ball made in his life. It was a private commission that Ball agreed to do partly because of his own deep religious faith. The idealized style and white marble present him as a holy, inspired man. Ball took great pride in this statue because his friend Hiram Powers, the most prominent and controversial American sculptor of the day, had said it was his finest work.
Luce Object Quote:
“It is impossible to conceive . . . how much the beauty of a work of art may be enhanced by a judicious arrangement . . . Indeed, when I first saw the statue in their house, I could hardly believe I had made it. This statue has always been a favorite with all, among my works.” Thomas Ball, My Fourscore Years
Topic:
Dress\historic\classical dress  Search this
Religion\saint\St. John  Search this
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Robert and Judith Bahssin
Object number:
1990.26
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department:
Painting and Sculpture
On View:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 19B
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7e34910f8-fe4e-4d68-a116-830f7689df8e
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:saam_1990.26