Head of Robert Schwarzenbach

William Zorach, Head of Robert Schwarzenbach, ca. 1930, marble, 16 129 1410 58 in. (41.923.527.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.150

Artwork Details

Title
Head of Robert Schwarzenbach
Date
ca. 1930
Dimensions
16 129 1410 58 in. (41.923.527.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar
Mediums
Mediums Description
marble
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Schwarzenbach, Robert — head
Object Number
1968.154.150

Artwork Description

William Zorach used the direct carving method to create this portrait head of Robert J. F. Schwarzenbach, president of a silk-manufacturing company and Swiss consul general. Schwarzenbach commissioned several sculptures from Zorach in the 1920s, but did not think this portrait was a good likeness. This reaction typified Zorach’s experiences with commissioned portraits, which frustrated him because, as he said, “if you are honest and sincere, you insult so many people.”

Works by this artist (744 items)

William Zorach, Innocence (Figure of Girl - Dahlov), 1928, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.143
Innocence (Figure of Girl — Dahlov)
Date1928
cast and patinated plaster
On view
William Zorach, Mother and Child (study), ca. 1926, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.153
Mother and Child (study)
Dateca. 1926
plaster
On view
William Zorach, The Builder (study for Chase Bank), ca. 1960, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1971.449.29
The Builder (study for Chase Bank)
Dateca. 1960
cast and patinated plaster
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Philip Pavia, Amazon on Horseback, 1965, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.86
Amazon on Horseback
Date1965
marble
Not on view
Paul Manship, Susanna (#1), 1948, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.1
Susanna (#1)
Date1948
marble
On view
Jean de Marco, Eve, 1940, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Clara Fasano, 1968.131
Eve
Date1940
marble
Not on view
Paul Manship, Study for Venus Anadyomene, 1924, bronze on marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.57
Study for Venus Anadyomene
Date1924
bronze on marble base
On view