alb3649722

ERASTUS DOW PALMER. Indian Girl, or The Dawn of Christianity

Indian Girl, or The Dawn of Christianity. Artist: Erastus Dow Palmer (American, Pompey, New York 1817-1904 Albany, New York). Dimensions: 60 x 19 3/4 x 22 1/4 in. (152.4 x 50.2 x 56.5 cm). Date: 1853-56; carved 1855-56.
"The Indian Girl," or "The Dawn of Christianity," marked Palmer's first attempt to model a full-length female figure. The Albany, New York-based sculptor outlined the symbolic program for the statue in a letter to his patron, Hamilton Fish: "A young Indian Maiden wandering listlessly in her native forest gathering bird-plumes finds a crucifix, which impressive emblem she, seeing for the first time, gazes upon with wonder and compassion." Palmer directed the seminude girl's attention toward the found object, which she cradles in her elevated right hand. Her left hand, holding the forgotten feathers, rests limply at her side.

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Author: ERASTUS DOW PALMER (1817-1904)

Title: Indian Girl, or The Dawn of Christianity

Caption: Indian Girl, or The Dawn of Christianity. Artist: Erastus Dow Palmer (American, Pompey, New York 1817-1904 Albany, New York). Dimensions: 60 x 19 3/4 x 22 1/4 in. (152.4 x 50.2 x 56.5 cm). Date: 1853-56; carved 1855-56. "The Indian Girl," or "The Dawn of Christianity," marked Palmer's first attempt to model a full-length female figure. The Albany, New York-based sculptor outlined the symbolic program for the statue in a letter to his patron, Hamilton Fish: "A young Indian Maiden wandering listlessly in her native forest gathering bird-plumes finds a crucifix, which impressive emblem she, seeing for the first time, gazes upon with wonder and compassion." Palmer directed the seminude girl's attention toward the found object, which she cradles in her elevated right hand. Her left hand, holding the forgotten feathers, rests limply at her side.

Technique/material: Marble

Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Credit: Album

Image size: 3208 × 4094 px | 37.6 MB

Print size: 27.2 × 34.7 cm | 1263.0 × 1611.8 in (300 dpi)

Keywords: AMERICAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE • ERASTUS DOW PALMER • MARBLE • MARBRE • MARMOL • METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, USA • NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA • SCULPTURE • UNITED STATES