Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

His First Journey

Founder Cast by Roman Bronze Works
1901, cast ca. 1906
Not on view
"His First Journey" reveals the delight and pride of a baby as he pushes himself up on his hands to begin inching across a blanket. Although Vonnoh did not include an adult figure in the composition, the baby’s triumph at learning to crawl is palpably shared by an onlooker, whose presence is indicated by the upward glance and broad grin on the infant’s face. This statuette was among the artist’s most popular interpretations of childhood: there were about thirty-nine documented lifetime bronzes. The Museum’s cast is marked “No. X.”

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: His First Journey
  • Artist: Bessie Potter Vonnoh (American, St. Louis, Missouri 1872–1955 New York)
  • Founder: Cast by Roman Bronze Works
  • Date: 1901, cast ca. 1906
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 4 7/8 x 9 x 5 in. (12.4 x 22.9 x 12.7 cm)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
  • Object Number: 06.307
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A Young Mother, Bessie Potter Vonnoh American, Bronze, American
A Young Mother
Bessie Potter Vonnoh
Founder Cast by Roman Bronze Works
1896, cast ca. 1906
Gray and Brass, John Sloan American, Oil on canvas, American
Gray and Brass
John Sloan
1907
Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611), Israel Schuech German, Steel, bronze, gold, enamel, paste jewels, cameos, pearls, wood, hilt, German, Dresden; blade, Spanish, Toledo
Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611)
Sword cutler Hilt by Israel Schuech
Bladesmith Blade by Juan Martinez
dated 1606
Girl Dancing, Bessie Potter Vonnoh American, Bronze, American
Girl Dancing
Bessie Potter Vonnoh
Founder Cast by Roman Bronze Works
1897; cast ca. 1906
Necklace, Meta Overbeck American, Gold, emeralds, Montana sapphires, topazes, enamel, American
Necklace
Meta Overbeck
Louis C. Tiffany
Manufacturer Tiffany & Co.
ca. 1914–15

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries and chronologies from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.