The Wisconsin Historical Museum

Portrait of Vinnie Ream (1847-1914)

George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879)
Oil on canvas
1876
1942.152

Sculptor Vinnie Ream was born in Madison, allegedly in the city’s first cabin, and became one of the best known Wisconsin natives of her time. When Vinnie was ten, her family moved from Madison, and they eventually settled in Washington, D.C., where Vinnie began to work with a local sculptor. While still a teenager, she received the federal commission to sculpt the Lincoln statue for the United States Capitol, and she went on to model portraits of many other prominent individuals. Noted artist George Caleb Bingham painted this portrait of Vinnie Ream in 1876, two years before her marriage to Richard Hoxie.

Investigate this painting by clicking on a link below. Each link opens a large image file.

Girl Sculptor (JPG, 235KB)	Why the Harp? (JPG, 325KB)
Dressing the Part (JPG, 428KB)

Displayed in the original gallery exhibition with this painting: Seven-pedal, double-action harp Made by Sebastian Erard, London Purchased by Vinnie Ream, Paris, 1869 Sycamore frame, pine soundboard, 43 gut strings pegged by ebony tuning pins, steel and brass tuning mechanisms, molded plaster “winged maiden” decoration 1811 – ca. 1830 H11073

Displayed in the original gallery exhibition with this painting: Idleness Vinnie Ream (1841-1914) Modeled by Jessie Benton Fremont (1824-1902) White marble on marbled granite base 1870 1965.270.1