Frederic Ward Putnam (1839-1915) 1912

Curator: Aleixo de Queiroz Ribeiro created this bronze bust of Frederic Ward Putnam, an important figure in American anthropology. Editor: The rough texture of the bronze and the subject's thoughtful pose give it a raw, contemplative feel. You can really see the artist's hand in the work, it’s not smoothed or polished to perfection. Curator: Putnam was crucial in establishing anthropology as a respected academic discipline. This bust, presented to him, served as a public honor, cementing his legacy within Harvard and beyond. Editor: Interesting to consider bronze as a choice of material. It’s a durable metal but also a common one; mass production implications immediately come to mind. It connects the artwork back to labor. Curator: Exactly, the monumentality of bronze, combined with Putnam's intellectual contributions, creates a tangible representation of knowledge production in the late 19th century. Editor: I find it interesting how the materiality also speaks to the means of honoring someone, memorializing them while pointing to the socioeconomic structures inherent in that act. Curator: It highlights how we continue to shape public perception and academic histories. Editor: Ultimately it is a confluence of labor, legacy, and the complex social contexts that shape art production.