Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.S.49 |
Object Name |
Bas-Relief |
Title |
Bas-Relief with Portrait of Emma Diruff Seiler |
Artist |
Bush-Brown, Henry Kirke |
Date |
1891 |
Description |
Marble bas-relief portrait of subject facing her left. Her hair is pulled back from her forehead and she wears a patterned bonnet with a large tie that drapes over her the back of her neck and shoulder. She has excess skin on her neck and wears a shirt with a tightly ruffled collar, fastened with a large bow. Inscribed: "1821 Mrs Emma Seiler 1886" around top perimeter. "H K BUSH-BROWN 1891" below portrait. |
Label |
Elected to the APS in 1867, Emma Seiler was the Society's third female member. A German voice teacher and science student, she published "The Voice in Singing," a pioneering study of vocal anatomy, in 1861 (English translation 1868). This portrait relief, probably based on a photograph, was commissioned by a group of members and friends after her death. Its individualized features contrast with 18th- and 19th-century representations of women as anonymous symbols of science. The profile format was a fitting choice for a memorial portrait, as it evokes Renaissance commemorative medals and ancient Greek grave markers, or stele. |
Medium |
Marble |
Dimensions |
Dia-17 inches |
Dimension Details |
Mounted diam.: 20 |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of members and friends, 1891. |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century sculpture women profile portrait anatomy music scientist |