Herbert Adams

American, 1858 - 1945

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The sculpture depicts a female figure draped in flowing robes, walking forward with poise and grace. She holds a cluster of flowers in her left hand. The sculpture is created from bronze, giving it an aged greenish-brown patina. The figure is life-sized, standing on a rectangular base. Her facial expression is neutral, and her hair is styled in a traditional manner.
Herbert Adams, Girl with Water Lilies, model 1928, bronze, Gift of the HRH Foundation in honor of its founder, Helen Ruth Henderson, 2002.96.1

Girl with Water Lilies

Herbert Adams · model 1928 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2002.96.1
The sculpture features a fish leaping out of water, with its fins spread and scales detailed. The sculpture is made from a bronze-like material with a golden-brown color. It is set within a medallion-shaped frame with a scalloped edge and inscription that reads, "TO THE FIRST LITTLE SHINER WE CAUGHT WITH A PIN." The fish is central to the medallion, with water illustrations underneath.
Herbert Adams, Medallic Art Company, "Oh, what are the prizes we perish to win,To the first little 'shiner' we caught with a pin?" [reverse], 1934, bronze, Corcoran Collection (Gift through subscription to the Society of Medalists), 2015.19.3653.b

"Oh, what are the prizes we perish to win,To the first little 'shiner' we caught with a pin?" [reverse]

Herbert Adams, Medallic Art Company · 1934 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3653.b
The image shows a relief sculpture on a medal featuring a naked young boy standing against a flat background. The boy is depicted wading through water, holding a stick-like object with a line. Rippling lines suggest water. The sculpture is likely made of bronze, with warm brownish-gold color. An inscription on the backdrop reads, "OH WHAT ARE THE PRIZES WE PERISH TO WIN." The sculpture combines realistic proportions with stylized elements, particularly evident in the boy's hair and facial features.
Herbert Adams, Medallic Art Company, "Oh, what are the prizes we perish to win,To the first little 'shiner' we caught with a pin?" [obverse], 1934, bronze, Corcoran Collection (Gift through subscription to the Society of Medalists, 1934), 2015.19.3653.a

"Oh, what are the prizes we perish to win,To the first little 'shiner' we caught with a pin?" [obverse]

Herbert Adams, Medallic Art Company · 1934 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3653.a
This is a photograph of a commemorative medal. The image shows a round gold medal with an inscription dedicated to the Ambassador of France and Madame Jusserand. The text expresses a token of affection and esteem from the people of the city of Washington, dated January 10, 1925 (MCMMXXV). Surrounding the inscription is a decorative wreath with detailed leaves and floral elements. The photograph captures the fine details of the engraving and the golden hue of the medal against a black background.
Herbert Adams, Inscription [reverse], 1925, bronze, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams), 2015.19.3705.b

Inscription [reverse]

Herbert Adams · 1925 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3705.b
This image shows a bas-relief portrait of Jules Jean Jusserand in profile. Jusserand is depicted from the head to the shoulders, featuring a neatly combed hairstyle and a full beard. The portrait is on a round medallion with a golden hue, suggesting a metallic material like bronze. The medallion has the inscription "Jules Jean Jusserand" along the upper edge and subtle texturing details to depict depth. It seems to be a commemorative piece rather than a freestanding sculpture.
Herbert Adams, Jules Jean Jusserand Commemorative Medal for the American Historical Association [obverse], 1925, bronze, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams, 1945), 2015.19.3705.a

Jules Jean Jusserand Commemorative Medal for the American Historical Association [obverse]

Herbert Adams · 1925 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3705.a
The sculpture is a relief plaque featuring a figure draped in classical-style garments. The figure is an elegantly poised woman holding a garland or laurel wreath above her head with one hand, and a branch with leaves in the other hand. She appears to be in a flowing robe, standing in a graceful, slightly contrapposto pose. The sculpture is made of a dark material, possibly bronze or a similar metal, with inscriptions at the top dedicating it to John Jacob Abel in 1925 and at the bottom praising outstanding contributions to science from the Research Corporation. The figure and text are raised above the plaque’s flat background, providing a relief effect with detailed attire and expressive form.
Herbert Adams, John Jacob Abel Plaque for the Research Corporation, 1925, bakelite, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams, 1945), 2015.19.3701

John Jacob Abel Plaque for the Research Corporation

Herbert Adams · 1925 · bakelite ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3701
This is a photograph of a commemorative medallion. The medallion features an engraved inscription dedicated to the "Ambassador of France and Madame Jusserand" as a token of affection and esteem from the people of Washington. The inscription is surrounded by ornate leaf and floral motifs, which are delicately carved into the surface of the medallion. The text is written in an elegant font, and the date "Jan X MCMXXV" is noted. The medallion has a rich golden hue and a smooth, polished finish.
Herbert Adams, Inscription [reverse], 1925, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams), 2015.19.3706.b

Inscription [reverse]

Herbert Adams · 1925 ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3706.b
The sculpture is a profile relief of an older man with short hair and a beard, depicted on a circular medal or coin. He is dressed in a suit with a collared shirt underneath. The sculpture is rendered in a golden color. The figure is engraved on the smooth, flat surface of the coin, and the rim bears the name "JULES JEAN JUSSERAND" inscribed around the top. The initials "H.A" are visible on the left side, beneath the subject's shoulder. The detailed rendering of the hair and facial features highlights the precision of the work, with the man's gaze directed to the right.
Herbert Adams, Jules Jean Jusserand Commemorative Medal for the American Historical Association [obverse], 1925, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams, 1945), 2015.19.3706.a

Jules Jean Jusserand Commemorative Medal for the American Historical Association [obverse]

Herbert Adams · 1925 ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3706.a
The sculpture depicts a relief portrait of a young girl sitting in profile, facing the right side of the frame. She is holding an open book in her lap. The girl is wearing a dress with short sleeves and a sash tied around her waist, and her long hair hangs down her back. The sculpture is crafted in a warm, golden-brown colored metal, likely bronze. The relief is mounted on a wooden background that complements the bronze.
Herbert Adams, Peggy Gantt, 1912, bronze, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams, 1945), 2015.19.3702

Peggy Gantt

Herbert Adams · 1912 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3702
The sculpture depicts a woman in a side profile, seated in a chair with her hands resting on her lap or the armrest. She has an updo hairstyle and wears a high-collared garment with intricate design work. Crafted from golden metal, likely bronze, mounted on a wooden plaque, the woman is rendered in a relief style with the metal form slightly raised from the background. The wooden base contrasts the golden hue of the relief, giving a classic appearance. The subject is portrayed with detailed attention to her features and clothing, offering a realistic and dignified representation.
Herbert Adams, Mrs. B., 1910, bronze, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Mrs. Herbert Adams, 1945), 2015.19.3704

Mrs. B.

Herbert Adams · 1910 · bronze ·  Accession ID  2015.19.3704

Bibliography

1913

  • Caffin, Charles H. American Masters of Sculpture. New York, 1913: 99-115.

1968

  • Proske, Beatrice Gilman. Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, 1968: 26-28.

1984

  • Craven, Wayne. Sculpture in America. Rev. ed. Newark and New York, 1984: 434-437.