George Cheyne Shattuck (1813-1893) 19th-20th century

Curator: This is Bela Lyon Pratt's marble bust of George Cheyne Shattuck, a prominent figure from the 19th century. Editor: It projects a certain stoicism, wouldn't you agree? The polished marble seems to emphasize his severe expression. Curator: Marble, of course, has a long association with power and authority in Western art. This bust was likely commissioned to solidify Shattuck's legacy in the Harvard community. Editor: A classic visual strategy for memorializing achievement—and a conscious engagement with ancient traditions. Did the choice of white marble also signal a certain purity or intellectual enlightenment? Curator: It's plausible. The imagery of clean, white marble certainly aligns with ideals of enlightenment and reason that were central to the academic culture of the time. Editor: The continuity of these visual symbols speaks volumes about how we choose to remember and represent our leaders. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that even in art, materials and style can carry powerful messages about social status and cultural values.