American Art Collaborative

William Zorach used the direct carving method to create this portrait head of Robert J. F. Schwarzenbach, president of a silk-manufacturing company and Swiss consul general. Schwarzenbach commissioned several sculptures from Zorach in the 1920s, but did not think this portrait was a good likeness. This reaction typified Zorach’s experiences with commissioned portraits, which frustrated him because, as he said, “if you are honest and sincere, you insult so many people.