Eva Rohr

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1872 · Marble · The American Wing

The American singer Eva Rohr was studying opera in Rome when Saint-Gaudens depicted her playing the part of Marguerite in Charles Gounod’s opera Faust. The character was associated with innocence and purity – themes reinforced by her demure downward gaze and the crucifix around her neck. The inscription on the Gothic-style pedestal is an English translation of Marguerite’s first words to Faust, in which she chastely rebukes her impassioned suitor’s offer to accompany her home.

Artist

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Date

1872

Medium

Marble

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Allan H. Smith, 1990