Erastus Dow Palmer
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Erastus Dow Palmer (1817-1904) was a self-taught American sculptor from Albany, New York. He began his career as a portrait cameo-carver before transitioning to full-scale marble sculpture in the Neoclassical style. Unlike most American sculptors of his generation, Palmer never studied in Italy, developing his craft entirely in the United States.
His major exhibition, "the Palmer Marbles," at the National Academy of Design in 1856 established his reputation. His White Captive (1858) is held at the Met. Palmer also created the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston statue in the U.S. Capitol. Our collection includes 3 works at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Sculptures by Erastus Dow Palmer
3 sculptures catalogued with museum locations. Browse all sculptures
Museums with Erastus Dow Palmer's Work
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About Erastus Dow Palmer
Palmer was a self-taught Neoclassical sculptor who never studied abroad. His marble figures, including The White Captive, earned him recognition as one of 19th-century America's leading sculptors.
Unlike most American sculptors of his era, Palmer never studied in Italy. He developed his craft entirely in Albany, New York, starting as a portrait cameo-carver before moving to full-scale marble.
The Cleveland Museum of Art holds several works. His White Captive is at the Met, and a statue of Livingston stands in the U.S. Capitol.
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