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This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Artist
Moses Wainer Dykaar, 1884 - 10 Mar 1933
Sitter
Alexander Graham Bell, 3 Mar 1847 - 2 Aug 1922
Date
1922
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
Object w/ mount: 62.9 x 65.1 x 36.8cm (24 3/4 x 25 5/8 x 14 1/2")
Socle footprint: 65.1 x 36.8cm (25 5/8 x 14 1/2")
Topic
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Beard
Alexander Graham Bell: Male
Alexander Graham Bell: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
Alexander Graham Bell: Science and Technology\Inventor
Alexander Graham Bell: Science and Technology\Inventor\Telephone
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the Smithsonian American Art Museum; gift of David F. Dykaar, 1929
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.69.22
Exhibition Label
Born Edinburgh, Scotland
While trying to improve the telegraph, Scottish-born inventor Alexander Graham Bell discovered that the voice could be transformed into electric current and transmitted over a wire. He exhibited his telephone at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, where the startled emperor of Brazil exclaimed, “I hear, I hear!” Bell’s invention revolutionized communication, leading to the establishment of the Bell Telephone Company. Upon learning of the inventor’s death, his friend and competitor Thomas Edison observed: “[he] brought the human family in closer touch.”
Nacido en Edimburgo, Escocia
Mientras trataba de mejorar el telégrafo, el inventor Alexander Graham Bell, natural de Escocia, descubrió que la voz podía transformarse en corriente eléctrica y transmitirse por cable. Exhibió su teléfono en 1876 durante la Exposición del Centenario en Filadelfia, donde el asombrado emperador de Brasil exclamó “¡Oigo, oigo!”. La invención de Bell revolucionó la comunicación y condujo al establecimiento de la Bell Telephone Company. Al enterarse de su muerte, su amigo y rival Thomas Edison observó que este “logró acercar más a la familia humana”.
Provenance
On loan from the artist and after his death in 1933, from his estate, 1926-1968; gift of artist’s son, David E. Dykaar to the National Collection of Fine Arts (now Smithsonian American Art Museum) 1968; transferred to NPG 1969
