AKU-1999-008

After Chauncey Bradley Ives (attributed), American, 1810–1894

The Commodore (Portrait Bust of Cornelius Vanderbilt)

1877

Marble

61 × 44 × 32 cm

Acquisition

Purchased at the Dorotheum, Vienna, 1999

Curator’s Note

Cornelius Vanderbilt died on January 4, 1877, worth approximately $100 million — 1.15% of the United States GDP at the time. The equivalent proportion of 2024 US GDP would be approximately $340 billion, which would make him by some calculations the wealthiest American in history. He gave $1 million to found Vanderbilt University. This marble bust, likely carved in the final year of his life, was acquired by the AKU from a Viennese estate auction. The provenance prior to the early twentieth century is unknown. He is depicted in Roman senatorial style, without the chin beard he wore in life.

Exhibition

gilded-age-digital-age