Browse Items (86 total)
- Collection: Permanent Sculpture Collection
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William Polk Hardeman (1816-1898), plaster, 1893
Ney executed General Hardeman’s portrait bust during his term as the Texas Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds. Although she never discussed her motivation for creating this particular sculpture, Ney had previously written Hardeman to…
William Lambdin Prather (1848-1905), plaster, 1905-1906
As president of the University of Texas (1900-5), William Prather popularized the slogan “The eyes of Texas are upon you,” which became the title of the school’s official song. Prather’s death had an immense effect on Ney, who considered him “a dear,…
William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925), plaster, 1900
This bust depicts William Jennings Bryan, a popular orator and three-time presidential candidate. Bryan visited Austin in December 1899, as the guest of former governor James Hogg, whom he was considering as a running mate. Due to popular demand,…
Unknown Young Woman, portrait medallion, plaster, 1896
Low relief circular medallion depicting an unknown woman with her hair pulled into a bun and curling bangs. The work is very simple and unadorned. Inscription right outer edge "Elisabet Ney fec 1896"
Unknown man, plaster, 1859
While this individual has long remained unidentified, recent scholarship has suggested that he may be Friedrich Kaulbach, the artist who painted Ney’s full-length portrait in 1860 (a reproduction of which is hanging in this room).
Tray with tools, Bowl with clay fragments
These are original tools and clay fragments from Ney’s studio.
Sursum, marble, modeled 1864, cut 1866
After Ney established the original Formosa studio in Madeira, she modeled this sculpture using two boys living on the island as models. The statue was originally titled Genii of Mankind, but later retitled Sursum, the Latin word meaning “to uplift.”…
Sullivan “Sul” Ross (1838-1898), marble, 1902
This bust depicts former Texas governor Sullivan Ross (1887-91), whose family helped establish the city of Waco.
Study for the Figure of Walter von Plattenberg, maquette, plaster, 1861
Plaster maquette of Walter von Plattenberg holding a sword and wearing medieval attire.
Study for Statue of Englebert Von der Mark, maquette, plaster, 1862
Small plaster figure of Engerbert Von der Mark holding a sword.
Stephen Fuller Austin, wearing buckskin, maquette, plaster, 1892
Maquette of Stephen F. Austin figure.
Stephen Fuller Austin, bare chest (1793-1836), plaster, 1893 or 1903
Known as “The Father of Texas,” Stephen F. Austin brought the first 300 immigrant families to Texas to populate his settlement, the Austin Colony, in 1825; these families became known as the Old Three Hundred. In 1836, he was appointed by Sam…
Stephen Fuller Austin, plaster, modeled 1893; cast 1902
During the summer of 1892, Ney set to work creating full-sized statues of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston to be displayed at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Both Texans had passed away, so Ney was unable to sculpt from life as she…
Stephen Fuller Austin (1793-1836), wearing buckskin, plaster, 1898 or 1903
Known as “The Father of Texas,” Stephen F. Austin brought the first 300 immigrant families to Texas to populate his settlement, the Austin Colony, in 1825; these families became known as the Old Three Hundred. In 1836, he was appointed by Sam…
Steiner Burleson (1892-1899), plaster, 1899
Finished marble on display in Gallery Two, Texas Gallery
Steiner Burleson (1892-1899), marble, modeled 1899, cut 1903-04
After Ney’s friends Albert and Adele Burleson lost their six-year-old son, Steiner, to spinal meningitis, Ney created this portrait medallion as an expression of her deep sympathy. The shell and seaweed forms which encircle the child were popular…
Statuette of an Amazon, maquette, plaster, circa 1856
Statuette of a crowned female figure with flowing drapery, and exposed breasts. On a square base. Legs have been broken, exposing the metal armature underneath. Arms are also missing.
Statuette of a Draped Figure, maquette, plaster, n.d.
Maquette of a draped female figure, kneeling with arms folded. Head and right hand broken.
St. Sebastian, maquette, plaster, 1857
Small plaster figure of St. Sebastian. Figure with long hair and no facial hair, holding an arrow at his breast in his left hand. Wearing a robe that exposes his right shoulder.
Skull (mass produced), n.d.
Plaster cast skull with missing teeth. It appears to have been used as a study aid for the artist, but there is no information regarding its origins. It looks to have a European stylization, but it may also be from her stay here in the United…
Sir Swante Palm (1815-1899), plaster, 1898-1899
Swante Palm was a Swedish-American diplomat and businessman who promoted Swedish settlement in Texas. He held a number of important positions in Austin, including postmaster and city councilman. Before his death he donated his extensive library to…
Self-Portrait, marble, 1903
Ney made several life casts of her face, neck, and shoulders in the 1860s. She used these to craft this piece years later. Cut in Europe in 1903, this marble bust is Ney’s only known self-portrait.
Samuel Houston, plaster, modeled 1893; cast 1902
Perhaps one of Elisabet Ney's most celebrated Texas works, this sculpture of Sam Houston was originally commissioned by the Texas legislature to be displayed alongside Stephen F. Austin at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In her…
Samuel Houston, Elder Statesman (1793-1863), plaster, 1903
Sam Houston is a starring figure in the history of Texas. Houston’s defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto resulted in Texan independence. He later served as President of the Republic of Texas, then U.S. senator. In 1861, he resigned his…
Samuel Houston as a young man (1793-1863), plaster, 1903
Sam Houston is a starring figure in the history of Texas. Houston’s defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto resulted in Texan independence. He later served as President of the Republic of Texas, then U.S. senator. In 1861, he resigned his…