Augustus Saint-Gaudens (Dublin, 1848 - 1907, Cornish, New Hampshire)
Mildred Howells, 1897
Gilded bronze, 7.2 cm (2 13/16 in.)
This is a gilded bronze medal. It depicts a woman who is seen in profile facing our right with her head and left shoulder shown. She stares forward and has a rather prominent, long nose. Her hair is gathered into a messy bun at her neckline, and she wears a high-collared top. This medal is inscribed, signed and dated: ‘MILDRED HOWELLS MDCCCXCVII A ST G’.
Long Gallery
Commentary
Mildred Howells (1873-1966) was a painter, watercolorist, and poet and the daughter of the novelist William Dean Howells (1837-1920). Isabella Stewart Gardner was acquainted with William Dean Howells and collected several of his books for her library. She also clipped articles about him from newspapers including a charming picture of him with his grandchildren.
Isabella and William had many mutual friends including the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. On 2 May 1897 Saint-Gaudens wrote to William Dean Howells suggesting that he and Mildred sit for a portrait. Shortly thereafter, Saint-Gaudens began work in his New York studio creating three separate reliefs including a double portrait and two medallions of Mildred. This medallion, and one other of the same size and subject in a private collection, show Saint-Gaudens's sensitive modelling of Mildred's fine features.
Isabella placed this portrait in the Sargent/Whistler Case in the Long Gallery alongside correspondence from Saint-Gaudens and other contemporary artists in her circle.
Isabella and William had many mutual friends including the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. On 2 May 1897 Saint-Gaudens wrote to William Dean Howells suggesting that he and Mildred sit for a portrait. Shortly thereafter, Saint-Gaudens began work in his New York studio creating three separate reliefs including a double portrait and two medallions of Mildred. This medallion, and one other of the same size and subject in a private collection, show Saint-Gaudens's sensitive modelling of Mildred's fine features.
Isabella placed this portrait in the Sargent/Whistler Case in the Long Gallery alongside correspondence from Saint-Gaudens and other contemporary artists in her circle.