Richard Wagner
model 1916
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
height without base: 18.1 cm (7 1/8 in.) height with base: 27 cm (10 5/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Frank Anderson Trapp
Accession Number
2004.166.31
Art Historical Context
This bronze sculpture, *Richard Wagner* by Alfredo Pina, the likeness of the legendary German composer Richard Wagner (1813–1883), whose operas like *The Ring Cycle* revolutionized music drama. Modeled in 1916 amid the tumult of World War I, work reflects a continued reverence for Wagner's cultural legacy, even as his music stirred controversy for its nationalist themes. Standing at 18.1 cm tall without its base (27 cm total), this intimate tabletop piece invites close contemplation, embodying the tradition of commemorative portrait busts popular among artists and collectors. Crafted in bronz...