Bust of Stephen Neal

Last updated
Stephen Neal
Bust of Stephen Neal.jpg
Artist Clara Barth Leonard
Year1907 (1907)
Type Bronze
Dimensions69 cm× 61 cm× 38 cm(27 in× 24 in× 15 in)
Location Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
OwnerState of Indiana

Stephen Neal is a public artwork by Indiana artist Clara Barth Leonard. It is located in the Indiana Statehouse, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The subject of the work is Stephen Neal, a member of the Indiana State Legislature and a Judge of the Boone County Circuit Court during the mid-to-late-19th century, as well as being the author of the original draft of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The bronze bust is located on the second floor of the Indiana Statehouse [1] in a waist-high limestone niche, and faces west towards North Senate Avenue.

Contents

Description

Stephen Neal is a bronze sculpture 27 inches (69 cm) high, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 15 inches (38 cm) deep [1] which depicts an elderly man wearing a shirt and vest, a formal frock coat with wide lapels and a stock tie. [1] The subject, Stephen Neal, has a beaked nose, furrowed brow, deep-set eyes and sunken cheeks. His hair is parted on the proper left, and its ends brush the tops of his ears. He directs his gaze up and towards the proper left over the viewer's right shoulder. [1] The proper right shoulder of the bust droops slightly lower than the proper left. On the proper left side of the base, which is roughly modeled, the artist has signed her name, along with the date that the artwork was completed. In cursive script, it reads 'Clara Barth Leonard,' with the year '1907' carved into the bronze just beneath the signature. Three blocks of limestone, each successively smaller, are cemented into the limestone niche which houses the bust. The base of the bust sits on top of the smallest block, in the middle and towards the front, roughly 2" from the ledge. A bronze plaque identifying the subject of the sculpture is located below the bust in the middle of the topmost limestone block. Its inscription reads:

Hon. Stephen Neal
Born 1816 – Died 1904
Author of Original Draft
Fourteenth Amendment to
Constitution of United States
Member Indiana State Legislature
1846–1847
Judge Boone Circuit Court
1888–1894

Historical information

The bust of Judge Stephen Neal was commissioned in 1907, along with two other copies, by Charles Neal, one of Judge Neal's sons. [2] Mr. Neal chose a local Indiana artist named Clara Barth Leonard to execute the three works, one of which was presented to the Indiana State Library, the second of which was presented to the Lebanon, Indiana library, and the third of which remained in his possession. [2] The third bust was eventually presented to the Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon, Indiana. A small plaster cast of Stephen Neal was donated to the Indianapolis Museum of Art by Clara Barth Leonard, and is listed in the collection, [3] though it has been lost since 1929.

In order to create the most accurate portrait of Judge Neal, who had by this time been dead for three years, Clara Barth Leonard (later Sorensen, then Dieman) sculpted the facial features using photographs of him taken during life, as well as his death mask. [4] A lifelong friend of Judge Neal, Louis Gibson, shared his suggestions as well, [4] later praising Leonard for her efforts. [5] In late 1907, Leonard exhibited the bust at the Herron Art Institute, along with a number of studies of heads. [5] A contemporary newspaper article notes that Charles H. Niehaus, sculptor of the statue of Benjamin Harrison, spoke about the bronze bust of Judge Neal "in most complimentary terms" after having seen it at the Herron exhibit. [5]

The bust of Judge Neal was presented to the Indiana State Library during a ceremony conducted on July 10, 1908, at 10 o'clock in the morning. [2] The ceremony was attended by a small number of interested parties, including Charles Neal and Clara Barth Leonard. [2] Union B. Hunt, Secretary of State at the time, gave a stirring speech regarding Stephen Neal and his contributions to the State of Indiana, namely as the author of the original draft of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. [6] Mr. Hunt had high praise for Clara Barth Leonard, stating in his speech that, "she has done her work faithfully [which] is evidenced by the highly intellectual face, and the kindly and unassuming expression of the features which were so characteristic of Judge Neal." [6] Demarchus C. Brown, Indiana State Librarian, accepted the gift on behalf of the State Library, [2] remarking that he "was gratified...that there are artists in the state qualified to design and execute such memorials as that presented." [7]

Location history

For a number of years, [8] it had been impossible to publicly display Stephen Neal at the Indiana State Library because of a lack of available space. [8] In 1930, Indiana State Librarian Louis J. Bailey transferred several pieces of art, including the bust of Judge Neal, to the custodian of the Indiana Statehouse with the permission of Governor Harry G. Leslie. [8] There, it would be installed in one of the empty niches which surrounds the Statehouse rotunda. [8]

Acquisition

In 1930, the Indiana Statehouse acquired the bust from the Indiana State Library. It is now considered property of the State of Indiana. [1]

Artist

Clara Barth Leonard Sorenson Dieman (1877–1959) was a relatively unknown sculptor, painter and teacher [9] from Indianapolis, Indiana. [10] She was a student of well-known artists such as William Forsyth, Alexander Archipenko and Lorado Taft, [11] who she worked on Fountain of Time with. [12] Between 1907 and 1916, Leonard taught introductory sculpture classes at the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis. [10] In 1917, she graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago, where she had been a student of Taft's, and she later studied at Columbia University as well. [9]

During her career as a sculptor, Leonard Sorensen Dieman frequently worked in portraiture, completing a bas-relief of William A. Bell for the Indianapolis school of the same name, and in 1916, a bronze memorial plaque in honor of Shortridge High School custodian James Biddy. [13] She participated in a number of art exhibitions across the United States, including in Chicago, Illinois, New York City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, [10] where she spent the latter part of her life. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Otis Bowen</span> Bronze bust of Dr. Otis Bowen

Otis Bowen is a bronze bust of Dr. Otis Bowen, who was the Governor of Indiana from 1973–1981 and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1985–1989 under President Ronald Reagan.

Robert Dale Owen Memorial is a public artwork located at the south entrance of the Indiana Statehouse along Washington Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. The memorial was donated to the state of Indiana and dedicated in 1911 in honor of the Indiana politician, Robert Dale Owen (1807–1877). The bronze portrait bust by Indiana sculptor, Frances M. Goodwin, has been missing from this memorial since 1970. The memorial's remaining pedestal is made from three stone blocks and includes a commemorative plaque.

<i>Sarah T. Bolton</i> (relief) Public artwork by Emma Sangernebo

Sarah T. Bolton is a public artwork by American artist Emma Sangernebo (1877–1969). It is located on the second floor of the rotunda in the Indiana State House, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a bronze sculptural relief of Indiana poet Sarah Tittle Bolton, née Barrett and contains four lines from Bolton's poem "Indiana".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Robert D. Orr</span> Bust by American artist Don Ingle

Robert D. Orr is a public artwork by American artist Jon Ingle which is located on the Indiana State House: Fourth Floor Rotunda, which is near Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America. The bust is a bronze political sculpture of Robert D. Orr, the 45th Governor of Indiana. Created in 1987, the bust was a gift by the Rotary International chapter of Evansville, Indiana. The bust measures 30 x 21 x 15 in.; 76.2 x 53.34 x 38.1 cm.

<i>Young Abe Lincoln</i> 1962 public artwork by David K. Rubins

Young Abe Lincoln, is a 1962 public artwork by American artist David K. Rubins, located outside of the government center near the Indiana State House, in Indianapolis, Indiana, US. This bronze sculpture is a depiction of a young Abraham Lincoln, an Abraham Lincoln that spent the majority of his formative years in Indiana.

<i>Frances Elizabeth Willard</i> (relief)

Frances Elizabeth Willard is a public artwork designed by American artist Lorado Taft, located in the rotunda of the Indiana State House, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a bronze plaque, given by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of Frances Elizabeth Willard's election as President of the WCTU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Henry F. Schricker</span> Public artwork by David K. Rubins

Bust of Henry F. Schricker, is a public artwork by American artist David K. Rubins, located in the Indiana State House, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a bronze bust of former Indiana governor Henry F. Schricker. The bust and its base are 49 inches high, 29 inches wide, and 22 inches long. The bust itself is 33.5 inches high on a 15.5 inch high base. It was installed in the southeast alcove of the Indiana State House in 1964 and faces east.

<i>George Washington</i> (copy of bust by Houdon) Public artwork in Indianapolis, Indiana

George Washington (bust by Houdon) is a public artwork that is a limited edition copy of an original work by French neoclassical sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon that is on display inside the Indiana Statehouse, which is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The artwork was cast a solid piece of plaster that has been painted white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Benjamin Harrison</span> Bust by Richard Peglow

Benjamin Harrison is a bust by American artist Richard Peglow, located in the north atrium on the second floor of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The bust is cast in bronze and depicts President Benjamin Harrison. The bust is placed in front of a grey and black marble shield with six stars tracing around the edge of the shape. The bust and shield are approximately 28 inches (710 mm) wide by 25 inches (640 mm) high and has a depth of 14.5 inches (370 mm). The artwork was cast and placed in the statehouse in 2008 in accordance with Indiana code Section 2. IC 4-20.5-6-12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Calvin Fletcher</span> Public artwork in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Calvin Fletcher is a public artwork by an unknown artist, located inside the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The marble bust depicts Calvin Fletcher (1798–1866), a man who settled in Indiana early in the state's history and went on to become an attorney and senator. The bust stands 47.5 inches high, has a width of 20 inches and a depth of 10.25 inches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Richard Owen</span> Public artwork by American artist Belle Kinney Scholz

The Colonel Richard Owen bust is a public artwork by American artist Belle Kinney Scholz and is located in the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The bronze bust was dedicated in 1913 as a memorial to U.S. Army Colonel Richard Owen. It was funded by contributions from individuals and Confederate veteran associations in recognition of Owen's courtesy to Confederate prisoners of war while he was commandant of Camp Morton, a prison camp in Indianapolis, during the American Civil War. The bust is approximately 70 inches (180 cm) tall, 40 inches (100 cm), and 21 inches (53 cm).

<i>Abraham Lincoln</i> (relief by Schwarz) Work of public art

The Abraham Lincoln commemorative plaque is a work of public art designed by Marie Stewart in 1906, created by Rudolph Schwarz, and dedicated on 12 February 1907.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Matthew E. Welsh</span> Public artwork by Daniel Edwards

Matthew E. Welsh is a public artwork by American artist Daniel Edwards. It is located on the third floor of the Indiana State House, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The bronze bust depicts Matthew E. Welsh, the 41st governor of Indiana (1961–1965). The bust measures 23.5 x 12.75 x 12 inches and has a wooden base which measures 4 x 14.75 x 10.5 inches. In 1996, one year after Welsh's death, the Indianapolis law firm of Bingham, Summers, Welsh & Spilman commissioned artist Daniel Edwards to sculpt the bust of Welsh. The bust was dedicated in a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on December 20, 1996.

<i>Oliver P. Morton</i> (monument) Public artwork by Rudolph Schwarz

Oliver P. Morton and Reliefs is a public artwork by Austrian artist Rudolph Schwarz, located on the east side of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the intersection of North Capitol Avenue and West Market Street.

<i>Workers Memorial Sculpture</i> Sculpture in Indiana by Daniel Edwards

Workers' Memorial is a sculpture in Indiana, United States by artist Daniel Edwards made to commemorate workers who have died on the job. The memorial consists of three bronze workers standing atop a limestone base. The statue was unveiled in 1995 on April 28, a day on which labor groups in Indianapolis annually commemorate fallen workers. Sponsored by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO), labor groups paid the entire $40,000 cost of the memorial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Abraham Lincoln (Indianapolis)</span> Public artwork by Thomas Dow Jones

Abraham Lincoln is a public artwork by American sculptor and medallist Thomas Dow Jones, located in the Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The painted plaster bust of Abraham Lincoln that resides in the Indiana Statehouse is a copy of an 1861 clay bust. Several versions of the bust exist in plaster, marble, and bronze mediums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Sherman Minton</span> Public artwork by Robert Merrell Gage

The bust of Sherman Minton is a public artwork by American artist Robert Merrell Gage, located on the main floor of the Indiana Statehouse, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Cast in bronze in 1956, it was commissioned to honor politician — a United States senator from Indiana and later an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.— and Indiana native Sherman Minton.

<i>Stumbling Man</i> Outdoor sculpture by David K. Rubins

Stumbling Man is an outdoor sculpture by American artist David K. Rubins (1902–1985) located on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture is cast bronze and is in the shape of a man crouched upon the ground.

Clara Barth Leonard Sorenson Dieman (1877–1959) was an American sculptor, painter and teacher from Indianapolis, Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudolf Schwarz (sculptor)</span> American sculptor

Rudolf Schwarz, sometimes spelled Rudolph Schwarz, was an Austrian-born American sculptor. He emigrated to Indianapolis in December 1897 to help complete the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Indianapolis, Indiana, which was designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz. He was invited to work on the project by Karl Bitter, with whom he had worked in Austria.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Indiana State Museum. Bust of Stephen Neal, ID 99.2006.020.0074. 11 April 2006. Retrieved from Indiana State Museum Mimsy Database 20 November 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Indianapolis Star. July 11, 1908. "Bust of Stephen Neal rests in State Library," p. 16.
  3. ↑ http://www.imamuseum.org/art/collections/artwork/bust-judge-neal- Bust of Judge Neal, Indianapolis Museum of Art. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Notes". Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History Vol. 4. Indiana Historical Society. 1908. p. 147. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 Indianapolis News. December 14, 1907. "On Exhibit at the Herron Art Institute," p. 11.
  6. 1 2 June 10th, 1908, "Remarks of Union B. Hunt in presenting a bronze bust of late Judge Stephen Neal to the Indiana State Library." Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.
  7. ↑ Indianapolis News. July 10, 1908, p. 12.
  8. 1 2 3 4 McNitt, Esther U. (1931). "Short History of the Indiana State Library", Indiana State Library.
  9. 1 2 3 John Powers; Deborah Powers (2000). Texas Painters, Sculptors, and Graphic Artists. Woodmont Books. p. 136.
  10. 1 2 3 Judith Vale Newton; Carol Ann Weiss (2004). Skirting the Issue: Stories of Indiana's Historical Women Artists. Historical Society Press. pp. 269–271.
  11. ↑ Peter Hastings Falk, ed. (1999). Who was who in American Art 1564–1975 Vol. 1. Sound View Press. p. 915.
  12. ↑ Indianapolis News. September 11, 1959. "Clara Dieman, Sculptor, Dead in New Mexico."
  13. ↑ Indianapolis News. October 10, 1916. "Biddy Tablet at Shortridge."
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.