Thomas Fortune Ryan

myminifactory

Thomas Ryan (1851-1928) was a self-made millionaire of Irish descent who made his mark in New York. Arriving in the city as a young man, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a prominent figure on Wall Street by his early twenties. His business ventures spanned coal mining, railroad companies, tobacco interests, and insurance, cementing his reputation as a shrewd entrepreneur. Ryan's connection to French sculptor Auguste Rodin began in 1908 when he was introduced to the artist through the Duchesse de Choiseul. Ryan played a pivotal role in promoting Rodin's work in America, using his wealth and influence to bring the artist's creations to a wider audience. In 1910, Ryan purchased ten of Rodin's sculptures for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which formed the foundation of their Rodin collection. The following year, Ryan sat for a portrait at the Hôtel Biron, where Rodin had set up his studio. Despite not speaking each other's language, the two men worked together in silence to create a powerful and evocative sculpture that captured Ryan's strength and character. Several versions of the bust were made in different materials, including bronze, silver, and marble, which Ryan kept for his personal collection. In 1914, Rodin gifted one of these busts to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display today. The sculpture is a testament to the enduring bond between Ryan and Rodin, two men from different worlds who came together to create something truly remarkable. Located in Sculpture, Room 21, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, case WN, this object is part of "Scan The World," a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks created by MyMiniFactory.