Long nineteenth century · Art Institute of Chicago · 819
Abdiel
Horatio Greenough, 1838–43
Art Institute of Chicago · Gift of Elizabeth G. H. Bartol · Public domain
- Artist
- Horatio Greenough
- Date
- 1838–43
- Medium
- Marble
- Dimensions
- H.: 61 cm (24 in.)
- Era
- Long nineteenth century
Why it matters
Horatio Greenough lived in Italy for most of his adult life and is recognized as the first American to pursue marble sculpting as a profession. This bust is one of two sculptures he produced depicting Abdiel, an angel from John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost . With his finely chiseled features, pronounced profile, and elaborately carved Greek warrior’s helmet, Abdiel resembles the Classical statue Apollo Belvedere . Through his production of idealist works such as Abdiel and his writings on aesthetics, Greenough sought to educate Americans about art and culture, and to inspire them to produce a national art that reflected democratic values.