Imogen

Erastus Dow Palmer (1817-1904) Artist
1874 Date:
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Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, France Maker/Manufacturer
Bronze Materials
16 1/2 H x 5 1/8 W x 4 9/16 D Dimensions

Insribed, base, front: IMOGEN; base, back: E.D. PALMER SC. / PARIS 1874; lower rim, shelf base: F. BARBEDIENNE, FONDEUR

 Marks
Descended in the Palmer family to Joseph Gavit (grandson of the sculptor and son of Francis Palmer Gavit) to his wife, Katherine H. Gavit Provenance
Gift of Mrs. Katherine H. (Joseph) Gavit Credit
1960.10 Accession number

This ideal bronze bust marks a significant departure in Erastus Dow Palmer"˜s work from his earlier, hand-carved marble sculptures. With her head lowered in a contemplative manner, Imogen's design and overall format were inspired by the ancient classical civilizations, but her loose-fitting clothing and neatly arranged hair are rendered naturalistically. Imogen is a character in Shakespeare's dramatic romance Cymbeline, but it's not known why Palmer chose to portray this literary character

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