Edgar Allan Poe Memorial
The Edgar Allan Poe Memorial was executed by Park in Florence and unveiled at the Metropolitan Museum on May 4, 1885. The memorial was commissioned by a group of New York actors in memory of American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849). The central focus of the composition is a bronze relief portrait of Poe, situated within a classical marble entablature. A full-length female figure, carved in marble, stands to the left of the portrait holding a marble wreath of oak leaves and acorns. The lengthy inscription engraved on the marble tablet, was written by drama critic William Winter.
Artwork Details
- Title: Edgar Allan Poe Memorial
- Artist: Richard Henry Park (1832–1902)
- Date: 1882–84; carved 1884
- Culture: American
- Medium: Marble and bronze
- Dimensions: 115 x 84 1/2 x 39 3/4 in. (292.1 x 214.6 x 101 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of the Actors of the City of New York, 1885
- Object Number: 84.9
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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