Walt Whitman

Paul Wayland Bartlett

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a relief portrait of a man with a long, flowing beard and mustache, wearing a wide-brimmed hat. The man's facial features are detailed, capturing his eyes, nose, and the texture of his beard and clothing. The sculpture is circular, giving it a medallion-like appearance. The color of the sculpture is a reddish-brown, suggestive of bronze or a similar metal, with a weathered texture that highlights the details of the relief. The subject appears to be in a three-quarter view, looking slightly to the side, with the name "Walt Whitman" inscribed at the top left edge of the piece. The texture and patina suggest age and a sense of history, while the overall craftsmanship gives a sense of realism and attention to detail.