Charles F. McKim, Stanford White, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in1878, captures the profiles of three luminaries of American design: architects Charles F. McKim Stanford White, alongside the artist himself. Measuring just 6 inches in diameter, this intimate relief exemplifies the classical medallion tradition revived during the American Renaissance, blending portraiture with architectural elegance. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it was acquired through the Morris K. Jes Fund in 1992. Saint-Gaudens, a sculptor of his era known for monumental works like the Parsons Wind Memorial, here showcases his mastery of bronze casting and low-relief modeling. The trio's profiles evoke ancient Roman coins, symbolizing their shared Beaux-Arts aspirations and collaborative spirit. McKim and White, future partners in the influential firm McKim, Mead & White, were reshaping New York's skyline with grand public buildings, while Saint-Gaudens provided sculptural embellishments. This rare self-inclusive portrait offers a glimpse into the camaraderie of Gilded Age creatives, highlighting how architecture and sculpture intertwined to define American cultural identity. A testament to youthful ambition, it remains a cherished artifact of innovation and friendship.

About the Artist

Augustus Saint-Gaudens · 1848–1907

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907) was an Irish-born American sculptor widely regarded as the greatest American sculptor of the nineteenth century. Born in Dublin to a French father and Irish mother, he was brought to New York City as an infant. He trained as a cameo cutter, studied at the Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design, and then traveled to Paris, where he studied at the École de...