Genius of Immortality

Isidore Konti

ca. 1910, cast probably 1912 · Bronze · The American Wing

“Genius of Immortality,” probably the most familiar of Konti's ideal sculptures, is personified by a seated, contemplative youth, his eyes downcast and his hands folded. The Metropolitan Museum purchased this bronze statuette in 1916 through the Gorham Company in New York, one of at least an edition of six cast by Roman Bronze Works between 1912 and 1918. Konti was later commissioned by Mrs. Edgar John Lownes to make a large bronze version of the sculpture, to be placed on her husband’s grave in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island. Konti added to the figure broad wings, supported by a marble entablature flanked by a pair of relief plaques of angels.

Artist

Isidore Konti

Date

ca. 1910, cast probably 1912

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1916