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Inge Hardison – Mary McLeod Bethune Bust, 1965 Exceptional African American portrait bust of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955) by acclaimed American sculptor Ruth Inge Hardison (1914–2016).
This sculpture has family provenance. It belonged to my family, and our family knew Inge Hardison.
Hardison created a series of portrait busts celebrating prominent African Americans. A documented 1965 Hardison bust of Mary McLeod Bethune is recorded in major sale archives, and another institutional collection records an 8-inch Hardison Bethune bust from 1965.
The present sculpture depicts Bethune with a dignified, direct expression and exceptionally expressive modeling. The highly textured treatment of the hair and face is particularly striking. The sculpture is mounted on a stepped wood-tone pedestal with a black base.
Artist: Ruth Inge Hardison
Subject: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
Date: 1965
Signature/mark: Visible on sculpture; close-up included
Provenance: Family collection; family knew the artist
Condition: Vintage/older sculpture. Please examine all photographs carefully. There is surface wear/patina variation consistent with age and the nature of the material. Sold as photographed.
