John Singer Sargent (Florence, 1856 - 1925, London)
Peacocks of Immortality: Cast of a Medallion in the Boston Pubic Library, 1903-1916
Gilded metal on plaster , 30.8 x 30.8 cm (12 1/8 x 12 1/8 in.)
General admission for children 17 years and under is always free
This is a circular, plaster medallion with two gilded metal peacocks drinking from opposite sides of a fountain. The background is a dark gray with visible brushstrokes. The peacocks rest on the fountain, drinking from the top, their talons clutching the shoulder of the fountain. Crosshatching details add texture to the birds on their necks and their bodies. Their wings are smooth by comparison with detailing only to show large individual feathers. Their tail feathers fill up the bottom third of both sides of the piece with circular and feathered details. The fountain has a small opening at the top, and a long neck and wide shoulder, with a looping decoration on the body.
Blue Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.