Thomas Fenton 1878 - 1898

Olin Levi Warner created this bronze portrait of Thomas Fenton in 1878. It embodies the values of the Gilded Age. During this era, marked by rapid industrialization and urbanization, portraits became tools for shaping reputations. Much like today's carefully curated social media profiles. They offered a way for individuals to assert their status and character within a changing social landscape. This was particularly important for businessmen and professionals, who sought to project an image of competence and integrity. Warner's choice of bronze, a material associated with classical sculpture, further elevates Fenton, linking him to a lineage of historical figures and reinforcing his importance. As art historians, we delve into archives, biographies, and period writings to better understand the social and institutional forces that shaped this portrait. It serves as a reminder that art isn't created in a vacuum.