The Busts 22 items
View items relating to the busts of John Brown and George L. Stearns.
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- Exhibit Description:
- A handwritten note dated May 4, 1977, stating that the bust of John Brown may have been stolen in 1952. There are no records on this, but it is likely the bust was simply misplaced.
- Attribution Statement:
- Tufts University Digital Collections and Archives
- Exhibit Tags:
- Tufts UniversitysculpturesdocumentsTufts DCA
- Exhibit Description:
- Marble bust of Hosea Ballou II, the first president of Tufts College.
- Attribution:
- Story, William Wetmore
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection, AI 01500
- Exhibit Tags:
- Hosea Ballou IIsculpturesTufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Description:
- The damaged bust of John Brown undergoing 3D scanning for restoration. This photograph was taken in May 2016.
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownTufts UniversityTufts University Permanent CollectionEdward Augustus Brackettsculpturesphotographs
- Exhibit Description:
- The bust of George L. Stearns by Samuel Morse after its restoration in 2016.
- Attribution:
- Morse, Samuel
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- George L. StearnssculpturesTufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Description:
- Photograph of Brackett's bust of John Brown showing a 3D-printed plastic replacement nose. With the plastic nose, conservators were able to make a cast and then a new plaster nose. This photograph was taken in 2016 as the bust was being restored.
- Attribution:
- Brackett, Edward Augustus
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownTufts UniversityTufts University Permanent CollectionsculpturesEdward Augustus Brackettphotographs
- Exhibit Description:
- Marble bust of George L. Stearns by Samuel Morse prior to its restoration in 2016. This bust was commissioned in 1879 by Mary Stearns, George's widow, to place in their home on their estate in Medford, Massachusetts.
- Attribution:
- Morse, Samuel
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- George L. StearnsTufts UniversitysculpturesStearns EstateTufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Description:
- Photograph of Brackett's bust of John Brown showing damage to nose and eyebrow. This photograph was taken in May 2016 prior to the bust's complete restoration.
- Attribution:
- Brackett, Edward Augustus
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownsculpturesTufts UniversityTufts University Permanent CollectionEdward Augustus Brackett
- Exhibit Description:
- Marble bust of Robert Gould Shaw sculpted by Edmonia Lewis, 1864. On the base it reads "Martyr for Freedom." About a hundred plaster copies of this bust were sold in 1864.
- Attribution:
- Lewis, Edmonia
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA
- Exhibit Tags:
- Robert Gould ShawEdmonia Lewissculptures
- Exhibit Description:
- Cabinet card featuring the John Brown bust owned by Mary E. Stearns. This cabinet card was printed by Litchfield Studios in Arlington, MA. A handwritten note on the back of the card reads, "John Brown. From the Bust taken while awaiting Execution in the Virginia Prison, by order of Mrs. George L. Stearns, October 1859. This is the only marble Bust of the Martyr, at present writing - 1919 - in the world. It was only secured by the earnest entreaty of Mrs. Stearns, for whom, and his faithful friend Mr. Stearns, he cherished warm regard. E. A. Brackett, Sculptor."
- Attribution:
- Litchfield Studios
- Attribution Statement:
- Courtesy of anonymous. Used by permission.
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownEdward Augustus BrackettGeorge L. StearnsphotographssculpturesMary E. StearnsArlington
- Exhibit Description:
- Cabinet card featuring the John Brown bust owned by Mary E. Stearns. The photograph used for the card was printed by W. Shaw Warren of Cambridgeport, Cambridge, MA.
- Attribution:
- Warren, W. Shaw
- Attribution Statement:
- The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs, Photography Collection, The New York Public Library
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownphotographsEdward Augustus BrackettMary E. StearnssculpturesCambridge
- Exhibit Description:
- A tech from 3D Printsmith 3D-scanning both the damaged bust of John Brown and an undamaged plaster copy from the Boston Athenaeum. This was done in order to prepare an exact, 3D-printed copy of the nose and eyebrow for the damaged bust. This photograph was taken in May 2016.
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownTufts UniversityTufts University Permanent CollectionEdward Augustus Brackettsculpturesphotographs
- Exhibit Description:
- Card with the A. C. Russell woodcut of the bust of John Brown (by Edward A. Brackett) and a statement by Brown given to George L. Stearns in Medford, 1857: "Mr. Stearns, I consider the Golden Rule and the Declaration of Independence one and inseparable." On the reverse is a handwritten note that the bust was owned by Mrs. Mary Stearns regarding the bust's creation: Wood- cut of the Bust of John Brown in the possession of Mrs. Stearns - the only one in the world. It was taken by her order while awaiting execution in the Virginia Prison, October 1859."
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives, John Brown/Boyd B. Stutler Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownGeorge L. StearnsWest Virginia State Archivesdrawings
- Exhibit Description:
- Letter from Tufts College president Leonard Carmichael to George R. Sands & Son, a conservator in Cambridge, 1950. It was this letter that allowed Tufts University Art Registrar Laura McDonald to put two and two together and realize the noseless bust was that of John Brown. The letter reads, "Gentlemen: Tufts College has a marble bust of John Brown, sculptured by Edward A. Brackett. Some time ago in an accident the nose was broken on this bust. Would it be possible for someone in your organization using contemporary photographs of John Brown to prepare a new nose that could be cemented to the bust? If this is feasible, would you be willing to indicate the cost of your work? Very truly yours, Leonard Carmichael"
- Attribution:
- Carmichael, Leonard
- Attribution Statement:
- Tufts University Digital Collections and Archives
- Exhibit Tags:
- Tufts UniversityTufts University Permanent CollectionTufts DCAlettersdocumentsEdward Augustus BrackettsculpturesCambridge
- Exhibit Description:
- A list of objects to be delivered to Fine Arts Express by the Tufts University Gallery in September 1998. The first two in the list are the busts of John Brown and George L. Stearns, at that point identified only as "Bust of a bearded man" and "Bust of a man."
- Attribution Statement:
- Courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Art Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- Tufts UniversityJohn BrownGeorge L. StearnssculpturesTufts University Permanent Collectiondocuments
- Exhibit Description:
- Excerpts from the handwritten will of Mary E. Stearns, who died in December 1901. The excepts itemize a number of specific objects in her house that she would like to be donated to Tufts College after her sons are finished with them. The text reads, "Also to hold for the use and enjoyment of the said Henry during his life the following described articles of personal property situated in the house where I now reside namely: my tall "grandfather's clock" on the front stairway, the "highboy," the cabinet, the tripod table, the old English mirror, all the old-fashioned chairs which belonged to my deceased husband, the bust of John Brown, the bust of George L. Stearns, the bust of Beethoven, the bust of Emerson, the bust of Clytie, the Venus of Milo, and the several paintings painted by my old friend Christopher P. Cranch, excepting only the one hereinbefore given to Lenora Cranch Scott, said articles all to be kept, preserved and used by him during his life in the house where I now live and not elsewhere."
- Attribution:
- Stearns, Mary E.
- Exhibit Tags:
- Mary E. StearnsFrank P. StearnsTufts UniversityGeorge L. StearnsMiddlesex Probate and Family CourtdocumentsStearns EstateHenry L. Stearns
16. John Brown
- Exhibit Description:
- Marble bust of John Brown sculpted by Edward Augustus Brackett,1860. Size: 28" x 20.5" x 12.5".
- Attribution:
- Brackett, Edward Augustus
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Tufts University Permanent Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownEdward Augustus BrackettStearns EstatesculpturesTufts University Permanent Collection
17. Julia Ward Howe
- Exhibit Description:
- Plaster bust of Julia Ward Howe sculpted by Cyrus Dallin, ca. 1914.
- Attribution:
- Dallin, Cyrus
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum.
- Exhibit Tags:
- Lydia Maria ChildsculpturesCyrus Dallin Art MuseumCyrus DallinArlington
- Exhibit Description:
- The busts of John Brown (by Edward A. Brackett) and George L. Stearns (by Samuel Morse) on display in the Tisch Library at Tufts University in 2017. Photograph taken August 16, 2017.
- Attribution:
- Long, Jules
- Attribution Statement:
- Image copyright Tufts University
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownGeorge L. StearnsTufts UniversitysculpturesEdward Augustus BrackettStearns Estatephotographs
- Exhibit Description:
- The busts of John Brown (by Edward A. Brackett) and George L. Stearns (by Samuel Morse) on display in the Tisch Library. Photograph taken August 16, 2017.
- Attribution:
- Long, Jules
- Attribution Statement:
- Image copyright Tufts University
- Exhibit Tags:
- John BrownGeorge L. StearnsTufts UniversitysculpturesEdward Augustus BrackettStearns Estatephotographs
20. Charles Sumner
- Exhibit Description:
- Bust of Charles Sumner by Edward Augustus Brackett.
- Attribution:
- Brackett, Edward Augustus
- Attribution Statement:
- Courtesy of the Harvard University Portrait Collection, Gift by subscription to Harvard College, 1858. Image © Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College.
- Exhibit Tags:
- Charles SumnersculpturesEdward Augustus BrackettHarvard Art Museums
- Exhibit Description:
- Article written by Lydia Maria Child titled "Brackett's Bust of John Brown," published in the New York Tribune on 11 February 1860, page 9, column 6. [Note: Image has been reformatted digitally; the original article sits in a single column.] Text: "The best things of this world never obtrude themselves on public notice. Walking through Washington St. one may see plenty of rich jewelry sparkling in the windows, graceful statuettes, and vases moulded in to every form of beauty. But the gem of gems, the thing most worth seeing in all the city, is in an artist's studio, up two flight of stairs, 24 Tremont Row. There those who visit Boston can see Brackett's wonderful bust of John Brown. That the whole press has not lauded it, with one universal chorus of praise, is merely because the name of John Brown is, at this time, an apple of discord.Those who knew the martyred hero well, pronounce it an admirable likeness. Such is the written testimony of Sennott, the lawyer who was with him during his trial. The artist labored under the disadvantage of not being allowed to enter the prison, when he went to Virginia for the purpose of making this bust. But a friend took accurate measurements for him, and he had enlarged photographs to guide him. It is also a fortunate circumstance that he chanced to meet John Brown in the streets of Boston, several months before his brave bearing at Harper's Ferry had made him world-famous. The expression of the face, and the carriage of the head attracted his artistic eye. He said to himself 'There's a head for a sculptor.' He looked after him earnestly, and went back, in order to pass him again. Upon inquiring who it was, he was told, 'That is old John Brown of Kansas.' The strong impression then made on his mind had much to do with his subsequent desire of going to Virginia for the purpose of modelling his head. The Virginians refused to grant opportunities for this work, partly because they suspected he was secretly employed to make a plan of the jail, with a view to rescue; and partly because they wanted John Brown to die, and there to be 'an end of him,' as some of them expressed it; a wish which does not seem to be in a very fair way of fulfilment.When the artist returned, his soul was so completely absorbed in his work, that John Brown was continually before him, in the dreams of the night, and the mental visions of the day. He read attentively all his writings and sayings, in order to become thoroughly imbued with his character. With such concentration of thought, perhaps it is not extraordinary that he should have produced an excellent likeness. But it required genius to make it so alive. It is this that makes it impress me more deeply than anything I have seen of modern sculpture. There are many statues with graceful outline, and exquisitely cut; but the soul, that made the marble seem to breathe in ancient sculpture, is almost always wanting. In Brackett's Bust of Brown, the character of the man looks through the features wonderfully. Any good judge, that examined it, without knowing whom it was intended to portray, would say, "That is a man of strong will, and lofty courage; kindly of heart, and religious to the very core of his being."A Boston gentleman, who has lived much in Europe, exclaimed, "It is singularly like Michael Angelo's Moses"! Other visitors have also observed this resemblance. But Mr. Brackett had never seen Michael Angelo's Moses, nor any representation of it. In fact, the similarity is merely in character. It is the sublime expression, the air of moral grandeur, which connects the two in the imagination of the spectator. This is not surprising, when we reflect that Michael Angelo had for his ideal the ancient hero, who led his brethren out of bondage, at the command of Jehovah, and Brackett sought to embody the modern hero, whose soul was filled with the same great idea.That the effect produced on my mind is not peculiar, I will prove by two witnesses, whose prejudices would have pre-disposed them to be unfavorable critics. The sculptor's conservative friends were, of course, not pleased with the object of his visit to Virginia. One of them, meeting him in State St. a short time ago, said, 'What are you doing now, Brackett?' 'I have just finished my bust of John Brown,' was the reply. 'Ah, I was sorry to hear of your going to Virginia. It will be a great injury to you,' said the Conservative. The sculptor replied, 'An artist must seek materials wherever he can find them; and rarely can such material be found, as the head of John Brown. You had better come and see it.' 'Not I. The old murderer!' was the abrupt answer. 'Then come and look at the bust of Choate; for I have completed that also,' said Mr. Brackett. A few days afterward, the hunker gentleman called to see the bust of Choate. As he stood before it, he glanced furtively, from time to time, at the head of John Brown, which stood nearby. It seemed to attract him powerfully; for he soon turned and gazed upon it. At last, he asked, 'Is that a good likeness?' 'Those who knew John Brown well agree in telling me so,' replied the sculptor. The hunker looked at it thoughtfully, and said, 'I would give a good deal to think it was a fancy-sketch.' In the presence of that calm, strong, reverential head, he could not repeat the words, 'an old murderer.'An artist who was extremely hostile to John Brown, after looking at this magnificent head, exclaimed, 'The old curse! He ought to be ashamed of himself, for making all the rest of us look so mean.'This remarkable bust is ordered in marble. There are also many orders for copies in plaster. Admirable photographs of it are for sale; but, of course, the best of photographs can never do entire justice to statues.Should this head be dug up, after lying buried for centuries, and there should be no clue to its history, it would at once take conspicuous rank in galleries of Art, and men would say to each other; 'It might be a head of Jupiter, were there not something so Christian in its character.'L. Maria Child."
- Attribution:
- Child, Lydia Maria
- Exhibit Tags:
- publicationsLydia Maria ChildNew York TribuneEdward Augustus BrackettJohn Brown
- Exhibit Description:
- Letter from Edward A. Brackett to George L. Stearns that reads, "My Dear Sir What do you think about taking a bust of old Brown. Can any thing be done about it. I shall be at my rooms till a quarter past 2 o'clock and should like to know what you think about it. Yours with regard, E.A. Brackett."
- Attribution:
- Brackett, Edward Augustus
- Attribution Statement:
- Image courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives, John Brown/Boyd B. Stutler Collection
- Exhibit Tags:
- Edward Augustus BrackettGeorge L. StearnsJohn BrownWest Virginia State Archiveslettersdocuments