Existing comment:
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney:
When the bill to authorize a marble bust of Taney was introduced in 1865, it was met with outrage in the Senate Chamber. Senator Charles Sumner exclaimed, "I object to that; that now an emancipated country should make a bust to the author of the Dred Scott Decision." The bill was defeated, but a bust of Taney was later authorized in 1874.
Saint-Gaudens was selected to create a "faithful copy of the head" from an existing statue of Taney by William H. Rinehart (1825-1874). Surprisingly, the bust was met with some artistic criticism when received. In reply, Saint-Gaudens wrote, "If there are any artistic defects in the work, which in justice to the deceased artist I do not feel free to speak of, they cannot be credited to me." |