The Navigator

Ingrid Selmer-Larsen

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a figure of a man with a stern expression, dressed in a formal ensemble that includes a top hat, a blue coat, and trousers. His coat is deep blue with a reddish-brown vest underneath, while the trousers are light grey. The figure is holding an old-fashioned navigational instrument, possibly a sextant, in both hands. The material of the sculpture appears to be painted wood, as indicated by the texture and surface finish. It stands on a dark rectangular pedestal. The figure's size, relative to human proportions, suggests that it might be life-sized or somewhat larger.