Daniel Webster

Thomas Ball

1860–68; carved 1868 · Marble · The American Wing

During his successful career as a sculptor, Ball executed several portraits of Massachusetts senator Daniel Webster (1782–1852), a man he greatly admired. For this bust Ball recorded what he described as the renowned orator’s “godlike” head, including the expansive forehead, furrowed brow, downturned mouth, and large eyes. This heroic-size marble was carved in 1868 in Florence, Italy, where Ball lived for more than thirty years.

Artist

Thomas Ball

Date

1860–68; carved 1868

Medium

Marble

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. William Couper, 1913