Old Mortality, His Pony, and Sir Walter Scott, (sculpture).

Old Mortality, His Pony, and Sir Walter Scott, (sculpture).

Thom, James, 1799/1802-1850, sculptor.

Notman, John, architect.

Old Mortality, His Pony, and Sir Walter Scott, (sculpture).

Old Mortality, pony, and Scott ca. 1836. Gothic structure housing sculpture group ca. 1836. Bust of James Thom ca. 1850. Pedestal for bust ca. 1872.

Old Mortality and sarcophagus: limestone; Sir Walter Scott and pony: brownstone; Bust of Thom: plaster; Pedestal for bust: painted wood; Gothic structure housing sculpture group: stucco on brick and stone, wooden turrets, flagstone floor.

Old Mortality: approx. 53 1/4 x 66 1/4 x 31 1/2 in.; Pony: approx. 54 x 76 x 25 in.; Sir Walter Scott: approx. 71 x 23 x 34 1/2 in.; Bust of James Thom: approx. 20 1/4 x 17 x 11 in.; Pedestal for bust: approx. 47 1/2 x 18 3/8 x 18 3/8 in.; Gothic structure housing sculpture group: approx. 12 ft. x 15 ft. 6 in. x 15 ft. 6 in.

Near the main entrance to the Laurel Hill Cemetery is a Gothic Revival structure that houses a group of sculptures depicting a scene from Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel, "Old Mortality." Seated on a sarcophagus in the center is the figure of Old Mortality, the aged Scottish peasant who makes his living by recarving the names of Presbyterian martyrs on their tombstones. He has stopped working and gazes over at a full-length portrait of the author Sir Walter Scott, seated on a nearby tombstone with his legs crossed and a cane in his proper left hand. In the background is Old Mortality's pony. In the far corner of the scene is a later addition, a self-portrait bust of the artist, James Thom, installed atop a square pedestal.

Literature -- Scott -- Old Mortality

Literature -- Character -- Old Mortality

Animal -- Horse

Portrait male -- Scott, Walter, Sir -- Full length

Occupation -- Writer -- Author

Portrait male -- Thom, James -- Bust

Portrait male -- Thom, James -- Self Portrait

Occupation -- Art -- Sculptor

Ethnic -- Scottish

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue, Entrance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Gothic Revival structure housing the sculpture group was created ca. 1836 by John Notman, architect of Laurel Hill Cemetery. The self-portrait bust of James Thom was carved ca. 1850 and was added to the sculpture group ca. 1872. The legs of the pony are replacements that post-date 1890. For additional information see Fairmont Park Art Association's "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze and Stone."

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974.

SOS Assessment Award, 1997.

Inventory staff, 2000.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 38-39.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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