John Ware (1795-1864) c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Bela Lyon Pratt’s marble bust of John Ware, carved sometime before the artist's death in 1917. There’s such a stillness and gravity in the subject’s expression. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, I find myself drawn to the way Pratt captures Ware's quiet dignity. The marble seems to glow from within, doesn't it? The details are so meticulously rendered, from the folds of his coat to the subtle lines around his eyes. It's as though Pratt sought to immortalize not just a likeness, but a sense of the man's very essence. Don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. It makes you wonder what stories that marble face could tell. I love how it captures a sense of history. Curator: Indeed, it invites us to consider how we remember and celebrate the individuals who shaped our past. Food for thought!