The Gentle Doctor

Artist / Maker Christian Petersen (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

Collections

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.

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