Public Art at the
Boston Public Library
Distinguishing Greatness: Sue Doherty, Brockton High School, 2005
Private Art
What is Public Art?
“Permanent or temporary physical works of
art visible to the general public, whether
part of a building or free-standing. For
example, sculpture, lighting effects, street
furniture, paving, railings and signs.”
UK: Government Planning Portal
What is the purpose of public art?
“Public Art enhances the quality of life by helping to define and
formulate responses to social, economic, cultural and political issues
faced by a community. Public Art contributes to cross-cultural
understanding, and a sense of ownership and responsibility towards
one's community. In its broadest definition, Public Art inspires
community understanding, pride and creativity, and benefits the
growth and development of the individual and community life. At its
best, Public Art is more than simply art integrated, installed or
performed in a public place; rather it is a community-based process
of dialogue, involvement, and participation. In many instances,
Public Art has become a major source of identity for a community.”
California Arts Council
Much public art is in the form of
monuments and memorials
A Monument is a statue, building,
or other edifice created to commemorate
(memorialize, honor) a person or event.
The "Monument to the Discoveries" in
Lisbon, Portugal, commemorates
famous Portuguese explorers.
A memorial is an object
served as a memory of
something, usually a
person (who has died) or
an event.
This memorial in England
lists the names of soldiers
who died in the First World
War.
Purposes of monuments and
memorials
• To commemorate a person or event
• To impress and awe
• To convey historical and political
information about a culture
• To educate the people
• To define a public space
Murals and large paintings are
another popular form of public art.
A mural is a painting on a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface.
A mural can be purely aesthetic (pleasing to look at) or serve a broader
commemorative, inspirational, educational, political, or other purpose.
Challenges of public art
Public Art at the BPL
• Predominantly sculpture, statues, and murals.
• Based on an “American Renaissance” concept: “a
collaborative of the ablest architects, painters, and
sculptors achieving a harmony of the arts in an edifice
proclaiming native pride and the public elevation of
taste.”
• McKim personally selected and commissioned famous,
recognized artists of the time to complete some works
for the library; other works were donated.
• The mission of the library as a place of learning and
inspiration is evident in much of the art work.
• Some of the work became quite controversial.
Science and Art
Bela L. Pratt, 1911
Sir Henry Vane
Frederick MacMonnies
Jesus and Lucifer
Horatio Greenough
Detail of busts
Memorial Lions
Louis Saint-Gaudens
The Puvis De Chavannes Murals, 1893-1896
Main Panel: Les Muses Inspiratrices Acclament Le
Genie, Messager de Luimiere
The Puvis De Chavannes Murals, Smaller Panels
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Physics
Pastoral, Dramatic, & Epic Poetry
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History, Astronomy, & Philosophy
Chemistry
Venetian Lobby
Bates Hall
Quest of the Holy Grail, 1895
Edwin Austin Abbey
#1: Galahad is chosen
#2: Galahad goes forth
#3: Galahad and The Seat Perilous
#4: Setting out on the search for
the Holy Grail
#5: Galahad finds the
Castle of the Grail
#6: Galahad is cursed by three
damsels for failing his first test
#7: Galahad fights the Seven Deadly Sins
#8: Galahad receive the keys to the
Castle of the Maidens
#9: Galahad is welcomed by the maidens
#10:Galahad leaves his bride on
their wedding knight
#11: Galahad returns to the Castle of the Grail
#12: Galahad leaves in honor
#13: Galahad sails to Sarras
#15: Galahad receives the Grail
Bacchante and Infant Faun
Frederick MacMonnies, 1893
Banned in Boston, 1896
Bacchante returns, 1993
The Sargent Gallery: Triumph of Religion
John Singer Sargent, 1895-1919
diagram
North Ceiling
Pagan Gods, 1895
North, West, and East Walls, 1895
Israelites
Oppressed
Frieze of Prophets
South Wall
Dogma of the Redemption, 1903
• Trinity
• Crucifix
• Frieze
of
Angels
South Ceiling
Mysteries of the Rosary, 1916
West Wall
Madonna of Sorrows, 1916
East Wall,
Handmaid of the Lord, 1916
East Wall
Fall of Gog and Magog, 1916
West Wall
Hell, 1916
East Wall
Israel and the Law, 1916
West Wall
Judgment, 1916
East Wall
Messianic Era, 1916
East Wall
Heaven, 1916
West Wall
Synagogue and Church, 1919
Synagogue and Church, details
West Wall
Unfinished panel for Sermon on the Mount
Sargent’s sketch for
Sermon on the Mount
Reflection #1
Discuss one work of art you
learned about today that is
interesting to you. Why does it
appeal to you?
Reflection #2
Why were some of the art works
installed at the Boston Public
Library more controversial than
others?
Can you think of any examples of
public art that have been or might
be controversial today?
Image Credits
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Slides 2, 12-36, 38 (except Bacchante), 39, 40, 56: Sue Doherty
Slide 5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_memorial
Slides 8-10: Collage images found through Google image search: murals, statues,
public art, sculpture
Slide 37: http://muddyriver.typepad.com/photos/boston_public_library/lib19.html
Slide 38 (Bacchante): http://artrenewal.org/asp/database/image.asp?id=4930
Slide 41: http://www.bpl.org/guides/sargentdiagram.htm
Slides 42-55: http://sargentmurals.bpl.org/site/imagesection/index.html
Slide 57: http://www.bpl.org/guides/sargentsermon.htm
Bibliography
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Bibliography, 2
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