Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer (Mariana Griswold)

Art Historical Context

Augustus Saint-Gaudens *Mrs. Schuyler Vanselaer (Marianawold)*, created in 1888 and in bronze in 1890, is a masterful portrait relief that captures the elegance of its sitter. Measuring just over 20 inches high, this intimate medallion showcases Saint-Gaudens's extraordinary skill in low-relief sculpture, blending classical precision with a lively sense of personality. The artist, a leading figure in American sculpture from the late 19th century, was renowned for his portrait reliefs of prominent society figures, drawing inspiration from Renaissance medal traditions while infusing them with distinctly American vigor. Mariana Griswold Van Rensselaer (1851–1934), the subject, was a pioneering art critic and writer whose influential voice shaped tastes during the Gilded Age. Commissioned portraits like this one symbolized the era's cultural patronage, where wealthy Americans sought to immortalize their intellectual and social stature through art. Saint-Gaudens's sophisticated modeling not only renders her profile with striking physical accuracy but also conveys a profound psychological depth, making her gaze both introspective and commanding. This work exemplifies how Saint-Gaudens bridged European heritage and American innovation, influencing generations of sculptors. Displayed in The Met's American Wing, it invites visitors to appreciate the artistry behind Gilded Age glamour and the women who defined it.

About the Artist

Augustus Saint-Gaudens · 1848–1907

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907) was an Irish-born American sculptor widely regarded as the greatest American sculptor of the nineteenth century. Born in Dublin to a French father and Irish mother, he was brought to New York City as an infant. He trained as a cameo cutter, studied at the Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design, and then traveled to Paris, where he studied at the École de...