The Boy

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Photograph by David Revette.
The Boy
Photograph by David Revette.
Artist/Maker (American, 1836 - 1923)
Collaborating Artist/Maker (American, 1875 - 1951)
Date1902
MediumBronze
DimensionsOverall: 40 11/16 × 21 1/16 × 23 1/4 in. (103.3 × 53.5 × 59.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Philip V. Rogers
Object number1994.104
On view
DescriptionOriginally intended to top an outdoor fountain, this statue is one of at least four that were designed by the painter Elihu Vedder, in collaboration with sculptor Charles Keck. Although Vedder was best known for his paintings depicting literary and mythological subject matter, he transitioned to the field of decorative arts in 1881. Thereafter, he became a popular designer of murals, book illustrations, and stained-glass windows. In addition, he designed numerous decorative works intended for domestic interiors, including door knockers, tiles, firebacks, and bell pulls. This bronze sculpture features a classically-rendered youth with raised arms balancing a basin on his head and standing on a stylized base resembling an ancient Roman oil lamp. It is among the largest works Vedder designed for domestic decoration. The fountain was purchased by Charles B. Rogers for the grounds of his estate (SOURCE: Wellin Museum permanent collection label, Summer 2016).

Additional Details

Alternate Titles Fountain with Standing Boy
Exhibition History 2017
Clinton, NY (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College). "Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions: The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Five Years, Highlights from the Permanent Collection," September 9 - December 10, 2017 (cat. no 55, illus.).
Provenance 1994: Hamilton College (Fred L. Emerson Gallery), by gift of Phillip V. Rogers;
c. 1937 - 1994: Phillip V. Rogers, presumably by inheritance from his father;
1909 - 1937: Charles B. Rogers (1865-1937), by purchase from the artist.
Markings None noted.
Published References Katherine D. Alcauskas, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, HONORED TRADITIONS: THE RUTH AND ELMER WELLIN MUSEUM OF ART AT FIVE YEARS, HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION (Clinton, NY: Wellin Museum of Art, 2017), p. 140;

Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College, "Acquisitions 1994," FRIENDS OF ART NEWSLETTER (August 1995).
Signature See inscription.
Inscribed "Copyright 1902 by Elihu Vedder Asst by Charles Keck" inscribed into bronze along base.
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