John Insley Blair
John Insley Blair (1802–1899) was an American financier and railroad developer who served as director of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad system from its inception in 1852 until his death. The likeness is one of the sculptor’s most successful in the sure modeling, rich textural variation, and powerful evocation of character. The artist faithfully recorded Blair’s physical traits: balding forehead, large-lobed ears, narrow-set eyes, and weathered skin. This bust was one of eleven works by Warner given to the museum by the National Sculpture Society after the sculptor’s untimely death in 1896; the bronzes were cast by Tiffany and Company from his original plasters.
Artwork Details
- Title: John Insley Blair
- Artist: Olin Levi Warner (American, West Suffield, Connecticut 1844–1896 New York)
- Founder: Cast by Tiffany & Co. (1837–present)
- Date: 1883, cast 1897–98
- Culture: American
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: 23 3/4 x 18 x 12 in. (60.3 x 45.7 x 30.5 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of National Sculpture Society, 1898
- Object Number: 98.9.4
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
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 complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.