Ney completed this bust of Christ in hopes that it would be exhibited at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Unfortunately, the bust was never placed on display due to space restrictions and was later sold to a private collector. Ney, though raised…
Governor Sayers (1899-1903) supported Ney’s endeavors by appropriating state funds to commission the marble figures of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston for the Capitol, and helped her secure later work. In 1911 Sayers became a founding member of…
One of the first portrait busts that Ney executed in her Austin studio was that of the former Texas governor Francis Lubbock (1861-63). Along with his wife, Gov. Lubbock became one of the many public figures who strongly supported Ney’s work.…
A member of the Texas Supreme Court, a two-term governor (1879-83), and the first law professor at the new University of Texas, Oran Roberts was a fellow landowner in Waller County, where Liendo, Ney’s country home, was located. He was one of Ney’s…
Senator Dibrell of Seguin was the husband of Elisabet’s close friend Ella Dancy Dibrell. Senator Dibrell served as Elisabet’s occasional advisor and would champion Elisabet’s work in bureaucratic circles as energetically as his wife did in social…
John Reagan served several terms in the U.S. House and Senate and also held posts with the Confederate States of America, including Postmaster General and Secretary of the Treasury. He was serving as chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas when…
This bas-relief profile portrait commemorates Ney’s friend and neighbor Jacob Bickler, who established the Bickler Academy in 1892. In addition to collaborating on community projects with Bickler, Ney often planned special events at her studio for…
Arm Muscles, a manufactured plaster cast study showing muscles of the upper shoulder. The assumption held by the majority suggests this object was a study aid and not created by Ney herself.
Julius Runge, the son of German immigrants, was a prominent merchant, financier, and public official based in Galveston. He was also The German Consul for the young state, and helped Ney acquire the Liendo Plantation in Hempstead. In 1887, she…
Julius Runge, the son of German immigrants, was a prominent merchant, financier, and public official based in Galveston. He was also The German Consul for the young state, and helped Ney acquire the Liendo Plantation in Hempstead. In 1887, she…
One of Ney’s final works of art depicts the famous sleepwalking scene from Shakespeare’s tragic play, when Lady Macbeth, haunted by her role in the murder of King Duncan, wrings her hands and tries in vain to wash imaginary blood from them. The final…
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…
Ney made this bust portrait of her teenage son while she was still living at Liendo, not long before Lorne left for college in Baltimore. It was only the third or fourth work she had attempted after leaving Germany in 1871, and her only known…
Benedette Brace Tobin was one of Ney’s most committed Austin supporters. As president of the Ladies’ World’s Fair Association of the World’s Columbian Exposition, Tobin was instrumental in Ney’s receiving the commission for the statues of Sam…
This portrait medallion depicts Ney’s friend and supporter Ella Dancy Dibrell, who purchased Formosa at Ney’s death and was one of the founders of the Texas Fine Arts Association.
Ney befriended Lucadia Pease, the widow of governor Elisha Pease, shortly after arriving in Austin. The Peases owned a large estate, Woodlawn, located west of Shoal Creek. Ney often visited Woodlawn and became close to the Pease grandchildren. This…
Maquette of full-scale version of Lady MacBeth. Standing 9 inches tall. A gift from Elisabet Ney to Mrs Dibrell. In later years Mrs Dibrell would donate the piece to the museum.
Bride Neill Taylor was known to be Ney's agent and close friend who wrote the first biography of Ney. Her husband, Tom Taylor, was Ney's business manager. There is no known marble version of this object. Inscription: "Elisabet Ney fec. Austin,…
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"
Square relief plaque with profile portrait of Paula Ebers in a circular medallion. Her wavy hair is pulled back, she is facing to her proper left. Leaf-like decoration along the lower edge of the rondel, from about 4 o'clock to 9 o'clock. The work is…
Circular medallion depicting a young girl with long hair in profile, looking to her left. She is wearing a gown with a square neckline with a braided edging. The medallion is slightly discolored and has some illegible writing/marks on the back.…