Horatio Greenough sketchbook and drawings, 1823-1851

Collection Information

Size: 140 Items, (on 1 microfilm reel)

Summary: Greenough's sketchbook from his studies in Rome (1826) and 139 drawings (1823 - ca. 1851) by Greenough from the Petit Sully Collection.

Biographical/Historical Note

Sculptor; Florence, Italy. First of the American neoclassical sculptors, Greenough was born into a well-to-do family, grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from Harvard University in 1825. In that year, he went to Rome to pursue classical studies, until illness forced his return to America in 1827. The following year, he returned to Italy and established a studio in Florence. In 1832, Greenough received a commission from Congress to execute a colossal GEORGE WASHINGTON, the first major sculptural commission given to an American. Although he worked in Florence, the majority of his patrons were Americans.

Provenance

Microfilm was donated by Nathalia Wright, a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who collected this material in preparation for her books, HORATIO GREENOUGH, THE FIRST AMERICAN SCULPTOR (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1963) and THE LETTERS OF HORATIO GREENOUGH (Madison: Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1972). Ms. Wright sold the collection to a private collector, circa 1987. The group has since been added to the collection of Mr. and Mrs. John F. McGuigan Jr.

Language Note

English .

Location of Originals

• Originals in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. John F. McGuigan Jr