John La Farge 1908

Editor: Here we have Edith Woodman Burroughs’s bronze sculpture of John La Farge from 1908, currently at the Met. It looks incredibly lifelike! I'm immediately struck by the mood – he seems so thoughtful and introspective. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the obvious talent, this sculpture speaks volumes about the art world at the turn of the century. La Farge was an incredibly influential figure – a painter, stained glass artist, and writer, really a public intellectual. By depicting him with such gravity, Burroughs isn't just creating a likeness; she's solidifying his place within the cultural landscape, making him almost a monument. How do you think this presentation contributes to his legacy? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. So, creating the bust is almost like… publishing a really flattering biography? To control how people remember him? Curator: Exactly! Museums play a huge part in shaping the narratives that surround art and artists. Burroughs's intimate portrait, cast in bronze, gives La Farge a lasting presence. It's interesting to think about how sculptural portraits function as both personal tributes and public pronouncements about cultural value. Do you feel that is still true today? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about it that way. So, it’s less about capturing what he *looked* like and more about what he *meant* to the art world at the time? Curator: Precisely. The art world shapes how we see its heroes. This work exemplifies that cycle of influence and commemoration. Editor: Wow, that's a really interesting perspective. It makes me see the sculpture, and portraiture in general, in a whole new light. Thanks!