Monument of Thomas Worth Olcott, (sculpture).

Monument of Thomas Worth Olcott, (sculpture).

Palmer, Erastus Dow, 1817-1904, sculptor.

Manson, William, stone cutter.

Ogden and Wright, architectural firm.

Monument of Thomas Worth Olcott, (sculpture).

Medallion 1876. Monument 1881.

Digital Reference:

Monument: granite; Medallion: bronze.

Overall: approx. H. 13 ft. 6 in.; Medallion: approx. H. 21 1/2 in. x W. 16 1/2 in.

(On lower right of portrait medallion:) E.D. PALMER, 1876 (On front of monument, incised lettering:) THOMAS WORTH OLCOTT/BORN MAY 22ND 1795./D ED MARCH 23RD 1880./---/CAROLINE PEPOON./WIFE OF/THOMAS WORTH OLCOTT./BORN FEBY 4TH 1797./DIED MARCH 12TH 1867. (On side of monument, incised lettering:) FREDERICK WORTH OLCOTT/AUGUST 10, 1820/NOVEMBER 8, 1822/--/ROBERT OLCOTT/JULY 26, 1824/MAY 10, 1859/--/MARY MARVIN OLCOTT/APRIL 11, 1826/APRIL 25, 1892/--/GRACE OLCOTT/APRIL 5, 1834/AUGUST 7, 1834/--/DUDLEY OLCOTT/JANUARY 1, 1836/MARCH 27, 1837/--/JOHN JOSIAH OLCOTT/MARCH 11, 1823/APRIL 10, 1899/DUDLEY OLCOTT/SEPTEMBER 21, 1838/DECEMBER 28, 1919 signed

A shaft-like monument containing a bust portrait medallion of Thomas Worth Olcott in proper right profile, in relief. Olcott is depicted as an elderly man, wearing late-nineteenth century dress, with a chin-beard, vigorously mussed hair on the top and back of his head, bushy eyebrows, and a somewhat fierce expression. There is a frieze above the medallion of chevronlike forms, topped by a low pyramidal roof, suggesting an Egyptian influence. The lower part of the monument is stepped.

Portrait male -- Olcott, Thomas Worth -- Bust

Occupation -- Monetary -- Banker

Homage -- Olcott, Caroline Pepoon

Homage -- Olcott, Frederick Worth

Homage -- Olcott, Robert

Homage -- Olcott, Mary Marvin

Homage -- Olcott, Grace

Homage -- Olcott, Dudley

Homage -- Olcott, John Josiah

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York

Restricted Owner, Albany County, New York

The monument cost $798 and commemorates Thomas Worth Olcott (1795-1880), an Albany banker who was one of the artist's friends and patrons. The artist made a relief portrait of him, a somewhat modified example of which was used on the portrait medallion. The architectural firm of Ogden and Wright followed the artist's designs for the monument, and William Manson was the stonecutter. Monument also commemorates Olcott's wife, Caroline Pepoon (1797-1867), and seven other Olcott family members, including: Frederick Worth Olcott (1820-1822); Robert Olcott (1824-1839); Mary Marvin Olcott (1826-1892); Grace Olcott (1834); Dudley Olcott (1836-1837); John Josiah Olcott (1823-1899); and, Dudley Olcott (1838-1919). For related information see the Olcott documents at the Albany Institute of History & Art.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1994.

Webster, J. Carson, "Erastus D. Palmer," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1983, pg. 141.

Webster, J. Carson, "Erastus D. Palmer," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1983, pl. 145.

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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