Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1804-1864, Author

Art Historical Context

This bronze medallion, created in 1892 by French sculptor Jean Désiré Ringel d'Illzach, offers a dignified portrait of Nathaniel, the celebrated American author *The Scarlet Letter and *The House of Seven Gables*. just over six inches in diameter, the circular follows a long tradition ofative medals used to distinguished literary and cultural figures Though Hawthorne had passed away nearly three decades, the work captures his thoughtful expression and distinctive features in raised relief, preserving his likeness for future generations. Ringel d'Illzach was active during a late-nineteenth-century revival of the medal as an art form, when artists explored bronze’s capacity for fine detail and lasting durability. The medium’s rich patina and tactile surface invite close viewing, allowing the subtle modeling of Hawthorne’s hair, brow, and collar to emerge. As a gift to the National Gallery of Art, this intimate sculpture continues to connect museum visitors with one of America’s foundational literary voices through the enduring language of bronze portraiture.

About the Artist

Jean Désiré Ringel d'Illzach ( ) · 1847 –1916

Alsace 1847–1916 Strasbourg