TitleCass Gilbert
Artist
Robert Ingersoll Aitken
(American, 1878 - 1949)
Datec. 1930
MediumBronze
DimensionsOverall: 29 × 21 × 15 in.
Other (Sculpture): 24 × 21 × 15 in.
Other (Base): 5 × 11 × 9 in.
Credit LineNational Academy of Design, New York, Gift of Cass Gilbert
Object number2-S
Label TextAitken modeled this bust from life at the famous architect's request, in New York in about 1930. Two castings were made, at least one being executed by the Gorham Company, New York, in 1931. The other cast (location unknown) was given to Mrs. Gilbert. Aitken probably used this work as the basis for the portrait of Gilbert that he included, along with his own, in the pediment sculpture, completed in 1935, Equal Justice under Law, executed for the main entrance to the United States Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., an edifice Gilbert designed.On April 3, 1933, just as Gilbert's seven-year tenure as president of the Academy was ending, the Council asked him to consider presenting the bronze to the Academy. The architect immediately agreed, and it may be assumed that the work entered the collection shortly thereafter.
