John Insley Blair

Olin Levi Warner

1883, cast 1897–98 · Bronze · The American Wing

John Insley Blair (1802–1899) was an American financier and railroad developer who served as director of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad system from its inception in 1852 until his death. The likeness is one of the sculptor’s most successful in the sure modeling, rich textural variation, and powerful evocation of character. The artist faithfully recorded Blair’s physical traits: balding forehead, large-lobed ears, narrow-set eyes, and weathered skin. This bust was one of eleven works by Warner given to the museum by the National Sculpture Society after the sculptor’s untimely death in 1896; the bronzes were cast by Tiffany and Company from his original plasters.

Artist

Olin Levi Warner

Date

1883, cast 1897–98

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of National Sculpture Society, 1898