James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) 1895

Editor: Here we have Charles Calverley's bronze relief of James Russell Lowell. I am struck by the gravitas it carries, with the inscription circling Lowell's stern profile. What statement do you believe it's making? Curator: It's a fascinating piece of institutional memory. Consider the function of portraiture, particularly in academic settings. It immortalizes figures deemed significant to the institution's history and values. Editor: So, it's less about Lowell the man, and more about Lowell the symbol? Curator: Precisely. How is Lowell presented? What qualities are being emphasized to the viewer, and what does that say about Harvard's values at the time this piece was commissioned? Editor: That’s a different way of seeing it. I was too focused on the likeness itself. Thanks!