Philomela

John Gregory, Philomela, 1922, bronze on a marble base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1984.4
John Gregory, Philomela, 1922, bronze on a marble base, figure: 12 x 9 1⁄4 x 3 1⁄2 in. (30.5 x 23.2 x 8.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1984.4

Artwork Details

Title
Philomela
Artist
Founder
Roman Bronze Works
Date
1922
Location
Dimensions
figure: 12 x 9 1⁄4 x 3 1⁄2 in. (30.5 x 23.2 x 8.9 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on a marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female
  • Fantasy — winged being
  • Mythology — classical — Philomela
Object Number
1984.4
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.4

Artwork Description

The large version of Philomela was commissioned by Payne Whitney, an avid sportsman and philanthropist, for a bird garden on his country estate in Long Island. It shows the mythological character Philomela crouching down while looking back over one shoulder. The serene pose and rich patina of the figure was meant to complement its setting, among the ten thousand rose bushes and countless other flowers of the Whitney garden.

Works by this artist (2 items)

Winold Reiss, The Aqueduct, linoleum cut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1982.95.2
The Aqueduct
Artist
linoleum cut on paper
Not on view
Winold Reiss, African Phantasy: Awakening, ca. 1925, ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1989.3
African Phantasy: Awakening
Artist
Dateca. 1925
ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper
Not on view

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Claude Buck, Death, 1914, watercolor, gouache,and pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 1985.9
Death
Artist
Date1914
watercolor, gouache,and pen and ink on paper
Not on view
Jacob Lawrence, Firewood #55, 1942, gouache, ink and watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Information Agency through the General Services Administration, 1966.2.3
Firewood #55
Artist
Date1942
gouache, ink and watercolor on paper
Not on view
Raymond Redell, Figure Composition, ca. 1930-1939, watercolor, india ink, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.154
Figure Composition
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1939
watercolor, india ink, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view
Ralph Rosenborg, Country Scene, 1937, watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from General Services Administration, 1971.447.79
Country Scene
Artist
Date1937
watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper
Not on view