Head of Andrew William Mellon

myminifactory

This head-portrait sculpture brings Andrew William Mellon to life, an American financier who made a name for himself as a banker, businessman, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector, and politician. Born into Pittsburgh's wealthy Mellon family of Pennsylvania, he built a vast business empire before turning his attention to politics. As United States Secretary of the Treasury from March 9, 1921, to February 12, 1932, Mellon oversaw the boom years of the 1920s and the devastating Wall Street crash of 1929. A staunch conservative Republican, Mellon advocated for policies that reduced taxation and the national debt in the aftermath of World War I. The artist Davidson later recalled discussing the terms of the sculpture with Andrew Mellon, who approached the arrangement in a businesslike manner befitting his role as Secretary of the Treasury. To Davidson, Mellon's refined features, delicate complexion, white hair, and mustache seemed to suggest stone or terra-cotta. However, Mellon had other ideas, saying "I prefer bronze" and suggesting that if he didn't like the finished product, it would be redone in terra-cotta or stone. Davidson agreed to the terms. When the clay model for the bronze was complete, Andrew Mellon expressed his satisfaction, and upon receiving the final sculpture, he was very pleased with the result.