The Providence Athenæum

This bronze-painted plaster bust is of Providence art critic and benefactor Albert J. Jones. Jones served as the Providence Athenæum’s Secretary for several years in the 1840s, after which he went on to become a renowned art critic, writing for the New York Times from Italy. Jones moved to Rome in the early 1850s and remained there until his death in 1887.

Jones’ legacy is one of a patron of the arts and literature. He established a book fund at the Athenæum for the purchase of books “illustrating the art of design as applied to decoration or industrial art.” His most important contribution, however, was his bequest to the people of Providence to fund a public art institute. Eventually his gift to the city would provide the funds required to establish the art museum at the Rhode Island School of Design.

The sculptor of this bust is unknown, as is the date of its creation. It was donated to the Athenæum in 1898 by Jones’ sister, Mrs. Emily A. Hall who claimed that the bust was “a striking likeness.”

Lancaster, Jane. Inquire Within: A Social History of the Providence Athenæum Since 1753. Providence Athenæum, 2003, p. 125.

"Albert J. Jones." The Providence Athenæum, 2019. Accessed 19 June 2019.

Annual Report of the Directors of the Providence Athenæum to the Proprietors. Providence, Providence Athenæum, 1898, p.8.

Edwards, Olivia. “Bust of Albert J. Jones.” 2016. ARTH 401: Cataloguing Curiosity, Wheaton College, student paper.

Barrett, Dawn and Andrew Martinez. Infinite Radius Founding Rhode Island School of Design. Rhode Island School of Design, 2008.