Thomas Crawford
Charles Carroll Harper
1838
Physical Qualities
Marble, 29 1/2 × 19 × 10 3/4 in. (74.9 × 48.3 × 27.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Caroline Dexter Pennington
Object Number
1932.26.1
Grandson of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (a signer of the Declaration of Independence), Charles Carroll Harper was commissioned by President Andrew Jackson to serve as secretary of the American delegation to France dispatched to urge payment of claims dating back to the Napoleonic Wars. Noted sculptor Thomas Crawford used a Roman bust format to depict the diplomat. Such uplifting “packaging” of notable civic leaders was common during the era. The bust retains its original marble plinth.
The Baltimore Art Museum by gift, 1932; Caroline Dexter “Kid” Pennington (1895-1994), Baltimore, MD by direct descent; Robert Goodloe Harper (1854-1920) and Caroline DeWolf Theobald Williams Pennington (1870-1962), Baltimore, MD by descent; William Clapham (1829-1913) and Emily Louisa Harper Pennington (1835-1908), Baltimore, MD by descent; Charles Carroll Harper (1802-1837), Baltimore, MD by commission
BMA "Anywhere So Long As There Be Freedom: Charles Carroll of Carrollton, His Family & His Maryland." Exhibition and Catalogue organized by Ann. C. Van Devanter. Sept. 30 - Nov. 30, 1975.
Van Devanter, Ann C. "Anywhere So Long As There Be Freedom": Charles Carroll of Carrollton, His Family & His Maryland." The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1975, p. 266-267.
Dimmick, Laura. "A Catalogue of the Portrait Busts and Ideal Works of Thomas Crawford (1813?-1857), American Sculptor in Rome." University of Pittsburgh, 1986, p. 151-153.
Inscribed: Signed & dated on back of shoulder: "T Crawford fect. / Rome - 1838"
