Charles William Eliot

W. Clark Noble, Charles William Eliot, 1924, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1924.10.1
Copied W. Clark Noble, Charles William Eliot, 1924, plaster, 346 18 in. (1.815.6 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1924.10.1
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Charles William Eliot
Date
1924
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
346 18 in. (1.815.6 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
plaster
Classifications
Keywords
  • Portrait male — Eliot, Charles William — bust
  • Portrait male — Eliot, Charles William — elderly
Object Number
1924.10.1

Artwork Description

William Clark Noble’s plaster cast shows Charles William Eliot (1834-1926), who served as president of Harvard University from 1869 to 1909. Eliot’s major accomplishments include editing the Harvard Classics and spearheading the elective system, which allowed students greater freedom in course selection. Noble’s plaster medallion is a preliminary design for the obverse of a commemorative medal (see 1927.12.1).