Bust

Title:

Mary Baker Eddy

Object Name:

Bust

Object ID:

1922.001

Creator:

Varney, Luella

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA/Rome, Italy

Date:

1891

Description:

Portrait bust of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) Life-size bust of a woman, draped in classical manner; head turned slightly toward subject's right; back and sides hollowed below shoulders; integral rectangular base, 9" wide x 7" deep x 4 3/4" high; molded base has scrolls running full depth of ends. Pupils and iris of eyes defined; hair in low chignon. Relief upper case lettering on front of base, against textured ground between the scrolls, reading" "MARY B. EDDY." Inscription at rear just below subject's right shoulder: "Luella Varney 1891," in script.

Material:

Stone
Marble

Dimensions:

H-26 W-17.75 D-11 inches

Provenance:

Represents Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), founder of the Christian Science Church, who was born in Bow, NH, and spent her last two decades in Concord, NH.
According to donor correspondence, this bust was carved from Carrara marble in Rome following a clay study modeled in Boston early in 1891. This particular bust was the second carved at the subject's order and was apparently somewhat different from the first of the three marble versions made; the order was however cancelled and the bust stored in a New York warehouse until purchased by donor from sculptor's father.

Credit Line:

Gift of Edward S. Merritt

People:

Eddy, Mary Baker (1821-1910)

Subjects:

Eddy, Mary Baker