Year 1909 (1909) Artist Gutzon Borglum Owner Rock Creek Cemetery | Type Bronze Created 1909 | |
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Dimensions 190 cm × 94 cm × 94 cm (75 in × 37 in × 37 in) Location Washington, D.C., United States Similar Frederick Keep Monument, General Philip Sheridan, Adams Memorial, Mount Rush National, The Aviator | ||
Rabboni is a public artwork by American artist Gutzon Borglum, located Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C., United States. "Rabboni" was surveyed as part of the Smithsonian Save Outdoor Sculpture! survey in 1993. It is a tribute to Charles Matthews Ffoulke, prominent Washington banker and tapestry collector.
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Description
This Realist sculpture depicts a Mary Magdalene emerging from an alcove consisting of three granite blocks that surround her. Dressed in long robes and a cape which covers her head, her proper right hand is raised to lift the cape from her head. Her proper left arm is extended outward in front of her. Her proper right leg is stepping forward, to recognize Jesus Christ has risen from his tomb on Easter.
The lower right of the sculpture is signed: Gutzon Borglum Sc / Gorham Co.
The front of the sculptures base is inscribed: RABBONI
On the back of the center granite piece is an upper bronze plaque which is inscribed:
THE END OF BIRTH IS DEATH THE END OF DEATH IS LIFE AND WHERFOR MOURNEST THOUA lower bronze plaque is inscribed:
IN MEMORY OF Charles Mather Ffoulke 1841-1909 Sarah Cushing His Wife 1852-1926 AND THEIR CHILDREN HORACE CUSHING FFOULKE 1876-1903 GWENDOLINE FFOULKE CHARLES MATHER FFOULKE II 1889-1912 AND HORACE CUSHING BELOVED FATHER OF SARAH CUSHING 1819-1865Information
The title of this piece, "Rabboni," is the Hebrew form of rabbi. Upon seeing the resurrected Christ, Magdalene calls him "Rabboni," per this Bible passage:
John 20:16
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (KJV)