Augustus Saint-Gaudens: Sculptor of the Gilded Age

Irish-born Augustus Saint-Gaudens came to this country as a small child and throughout his career and life, reaching into the early years of the 20th century, became an artist who truly defined a look for America in sculpture. His extraordinary natural talent grew into a master artist who was able to create lifelike depictions in marble and bronze that brought a realism never before seen in American sculpture. Known among works for his monumental casts of Civil War heroes from Admiral Daniel Farragut, General William Tecumseh Sherman, and even President Abraham Lincoln, Saint-Gaudens’ style combines realistic imagery, allegory, and architectural elements to create unique and very modern experiences for viewers. 

Joining The Gilded Gentleman for this episode is Thayer Tolles, the Marica F. Vilcek Curator of American Painting and Sculpture at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Thayer is a noted historian, writer and specialist in Saint-Gaudens’ life and work. This episode offers a full view of Saint-Gaudens’ extraordinary life and a detailed look at some of his most famous works. 

Listeners can visit the Saint Gaudens National Historical Park in Cornish, New Hampshire.