Head of Robert Schwarzenbach

William Zorach, Head of Robert Schwarzenbach, ca. 1930, marble, 16 1⁄2 x 9 1⁄4 x 10 5⁄8 in. (41.9 x 23.5 x 27.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.150

Artwork Details

Title
Head of Robert Schwarzenbach
Artist
Date
ca. 1930
Location
Dimensions
16 1⁄2 x 9 1⁄4 x 10 5⁄8 in. (41.9 x 23.5 x 27.1 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
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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 (9 items)

View all artworks
Arnold Blanch, Near Kingston, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York through the General Services Administration, 1975.83.33
Near Kingston
Artist
lithograph
Not on view
Arnold Blanch, Harvest Scene (mural study, Fredonia, New York Post Office), ca. 1937, tempera on illustration board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Internal Revenue Service through the General Services Administration , 1962.8.28
Harvest Scene (mural study, Fredonia, New York Post Office)
Artist
Dateca. 1937
tempera on illustration board
Not on view
Arnold Blanch, Winter Day, 1935-1941, pencil, conte crayon and pen and ink with white on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York through the General Services Administration, 1975.83.102
Winter Day
Artist
Date1935-1941
pencil, conte crayon and pen and ink with white on paper
Not on view
Image Not Available
Esso (Country Gas Station)
Artist
Date1937
lithograph on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Artist
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Artist
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Artist
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Image Not Available
Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Artist
Date1917
hand-colored etching on postcard
Not on view