Bust of a Young Girl, 1880's Antique Marble Sculpture, signed John Donoghue

A lovely bust of a young girl was hand carved from a single block of creamy white marble, signed by "John Donoghue" around 1880.

This understated statue is undamaged except for small chips to the rim of her hat. John Talbott Donoghue was born to Irish parents in Chicago in 1853, he was befriended by Oscar Wilde, who was on a lecture tour across America. Handsome and charming, several wealthy Chicago women become his patronesses. In Boston, he sculpted the boxer "John L. Sullivan," and then moved to study art in Paris, where he exhibited in the Salon of 1884. His most famous work is "Young Sophocles," the Greek playwright, which was exhibited at the Art Institute in Chicago.

For the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, he carved a massive marble statue called "The Spirit" in Paris, shipping it in pieces to America. Errors led to the non payment of shipping charges, and parts of his statue were destroyed at the port of New York, ending his dreams of fame and recognition in his home town. Other disappointments plagued the despondent artist, who eventually committed suicide in 1903. His works can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City.

This peaceful and understated work of art measures 16" wide, 9" deep and 20" tall.

See 21 photos on Harp Gallery website that enlarge to full screen size.

Item # V-18820