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The Gentle Doctor
The Gentle Doctor
The Gentle Doctor

The Gentle Doctor

Object NameSculpture
Artist / Maker (Danish - American, 1885 - 1961)
Date1937-1938
OriginU.S.A.
MediumTerra cotta
Dimensions80 x 24 1/2 x 23 in. (203.2 x 62.2 x 58.4 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineIn the Christian Petersen Art Collection, Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object numberU84.179
Status
On view
Label TextThe Gentle Doctor sculpture is the symbol of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State as well as the veterinary profession throughout much of the world. Petersen wished to add a central figure to the mural which would present a gentler, more compassionate image of veterinarians, to contrast with the purposeful and clinical struggle of the scientists depicted in the mural. Petersen also wanted to humanize the profession. His solution was to present a veterinarian coming to the aid of an ailing family pet. This is the original sculpture which stood for 40 years in the old Veterinary Medicine Quadrangle on central campus. It is now situated at the entrance to the Small Animal Clinic, Veterinary Medicine Complex. The statue was recast in bronze by Paul Shao, a talented architecture professor and sculptor on the faculty of Iowa State University's College of Design through a gift to the College of Veterinary Medicine from Dr. & Mrs. J. E. Salsbury. The bronze cast is now sited at the exterior entrance to the Vet Complex.
Published ReferencesAmes Daily Tribune, Jan. 1, 1938; Milepost (Ames, IA), Feb. 3, 1938; "He Has Carved a Heritage", The Iowan, Vol. 2 No. 3, Feb. - March 1954; The Iowa Veterinarian, vol. 24 no. 1, 1962; Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), July 7, 1968; Ames Daily Tribune, Aug. 7, 1975.
Locations
  • (not entered)  Iowa State University, Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital
The Gentle Doctor
Object Name: Bronze Casting
Christian Petersen
1976
Object number: U88.70
Gentle Doctor Cafe Proposal Drawing
Object Name: Design Proposal
Michaela Mahady
2018
Object number: U2018.214
The Gentle Doctor
Object Name: Photograph
George Christensen
1998-1999
Object number: U2017.256
University Museums, Iowa State University prohibits the copying or reproduction in any medium o ...
Object Name: Photograph
King Au
1995
Object number: um95.39
Object Name: Research Totems
Sarah Grant
Object number: U2011.466a-nn
Veterinary Medicine Mural
Object Name: Bas relief
Christian Petersen
1935-1938
Object number: U88.71
Reclining Nudes
Object Name: Bas relief, Mural
Christian Petersen
1936
Object number: U88.74
Study for The Gentle Doctor: Final Design
Object Name: Drawing
Christian Petersen
1935-1936
Object number: U89.41abcd
Gentle Doctor Model
Object Name: Sculpture, cast
Christian Petersen
1980
Object number: UM2019.64
The Gentle Doctor
Object Name: Sculpture
Christian Petersen
1960-1980
Object number: UM2010.51
Gentle Doctor Model
Object Name: Sculpture
Christian Petersen
1936
Object number: UM2018.226
Gentle Doctor
Object Name: Sculpture cast
1960s
Object number: R2022.10