05/07/2026
“Chinoise” sculpture, 1913, by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875–1942)
Born into immense privilege as the daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney charted an unconventional path for a woman of her time by pursuing a career as a sculptor. She became one of the foremost patrons of American art in the early twentieth century, her dedication to supporting artists eventually leading to the founding of the Whitney Museum, while her own commissions include the Titanic Memorial in Washington, D.C., a World War I memorial in Brittany, and a monument to Buffalo Bill in Wyoming.
Among her earliest achievements is this marvelous gilded plaster self-portrait, “Chinoise” (1913). This art nouveau work is the original plaster she gilded by hand. In 1914, she had two bronzes and one marble made from the piece — the marble now resides in the Whitney Museum’s permanent collection.
We were recently reunited with this beautiful sculpture of Gertrude after she spent 3 weeks at the guilder where she was repaired, cleaned, and, waxed. We missed her very much but are glad to see that she is looking radiant as ever.
We invite you to marvel at her beauty yourself in our booth on the 10th floor of the !
Available through Lost City Arts.
DM or email [email protected] for inquiries.
D 16” x W 17” x H 61.5”
