Paper

Student Artwork Guide

John Barrymore

Paul Manship, 1918

Name Class Date
Paul Manship, John Barrymore (1918). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Paul Manship artsdot.com/en/artists/paul-manship/
Artist’s dates
1885 – 1966
Painted
1918

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Paul Manship died in 1966; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2036. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 13, 2026

John Barrymore — Paul Manship Part 1 · The artwork

In context

John Barrymore — Paul Manship

When was this painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940
  8. 1950
  9. 1960

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 81 at death.

Painted when the artist was 33. The artist lived to 81. 25 of the 247 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Paul Manship (1885–1966) ▲ this work, 1918 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1922 Main working years: 1922–1946 Late works: from 1946

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/paul-manship-john-barrymore-AQRHSF-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #a59c99

    Catalogued palette

    • #A59C99
    • #070708
    • #F7F7F7
    • #47474B

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Paul Manship over the last twelve months — 4 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 87.0%6,700 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 9.1%700 visits
    3. 3 United Kingdom 2.6%200 visits
    4. 4 Germany 1.3%100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Paul Manship

    1. 1 End of Day, 1909 3.4%300 visits
    2. 2 John Johansen Portrait Medal (obverse), 1959 2.3%200 visits
    3. 3 United Fruit Company Medal (obverse), 1943 2.3%200 visits
    4. 4 Joan of Arc Medal, 1915 2.3%200 visits
    5. 5 Crowned Crane, 1932 2.3%200 visits
    6. 6 Robert Frost, 1943 1.1%100 visits
    7. 7 Study for Osborne Gates The Fox and the Crow, 1952 1.1%100 visits
    8. 8 (Dancing Female Nude with Flying Drapery), 1930 1.1%100 visits
    9. 9 John Barton Payne Award, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, reverse, 1933 1.1%100 visits
    10. 10 United States Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal (obverse), 1942 1.1%100 visits
    11. 11 Elizabeth Robinson Manship, 1927 1.1%100 visits
    12. 12 United States Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal (reverse), 1942 1.1%100 visits
    13. 13 George Washington at Newburg 1.1%100 visits
    14. 14 Self Portrait, 1907 1.1%100 visits
    15. 15 Circe Enchants Ulysses' Sailors, 1957 1.1%100 visits
    16. 16 Four Angels (sketch for Altar Triptych, American Military Cemetery, Anzio, Italy), 1955 1.1%100 visits
    17. 17 Henry De Forest Baldwin Portrait Medal (obverse), 1939 1.1%100 visits
    18. 18 Albert Gallatin Portrait Medal, 1955 1.1%100 visits
    19. 19 Flying Figure, Doodle, 1950 1.1%100 visits
    20. 81 John Barrymore, 1918 this painting 1.1%100 visits

    Together these works take 29.1% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 373 works by this artist, of which 81 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 81 of them, with 1.1% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 13, 2026

    John Barrymore — Paul Manship Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Paul Manship

    Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

    Paul Howard Manship (December 25, 1885 – January 31, 1966) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Charles H. and Mary Etta (Friend) Manship. His father, a clerk for the St. Paul gas company, instilled in him an appreciation for craftsmanship and precision—traits that would profoundly shape Manship’s artistic vision. Growing up in a family home at 304 Nelson Avenue, he developed a keen interest in art from a young age, enrolling in the St. Paul School of Art where he honed his foundational skills. This early exposure to artistic principles foreshadowed his lifelong dedication to sculpting and exploring the expressive potential of form. His formative years were marked by an unwavering commitment to mastering sculptural techniques—a pursuit that would ultimately define his career trajectory.

    Formal Training and Influences

    Manship’s formal education solidified his artistic sensibilities, propelling him toward Philadelphia where he pursued studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. There, he immersed himself in classical art history and anatomy—subjects that would become central to his sculptural practice. Notably, he studied with George Bridgman, whose anatomical drawings provided invaluable insight into human form, and modeled under Hermon Atkins MacNeil, fostering a deep understanding of sculptural modeling techniques. Recognizing the importance of broadening his artistic horizons, Manship traveled to Rome in 1909, securing a prestigious Rome Prize—a pivotal moment that exposed him to the grandeur of European art and cemented his fascination with Archaic sculpture. He was particularly captivated by classical sculpture of India, which would infuse his work with an enduring spirit of timeless beauty.

    Collaboration and Artistic Style

    Manship’s artistic journey gained momentum through collaborations with fellow sculptors—most notably Solon Borglum, whom he assisted during the creation of Monument to Lincoln. This experience honed his technical skills and exposed him to innovative sculptural approaches. He also partnered with Gaston Lachaise and Leo Friedlander, establishing a dynamic creative environment that nurtured experimentation and stylistic evolution. Manship’s artistic style is characterized by a remarkable blend of classical influences and modernist sensibilities—a harmonious fusion reflected in his sculptures' flowing lines and simplified forms. Rejecting the Beaux-Arts movement’s rigid formalism, he championed linear compositions imbued with understated elegance, prioritizing clarity and expressive power.

    Major Commissions and Notable Works

    Manship achieved international acclaim through monumental public commissions—most notably the Prometheus statue for Rockefeller Center in New York City—a towering testament to Art Deco’s ambition and grandeur. His sculptural prowess extended beyond architectural projects, encompassing memorials honoring veterans of both World Wars—the St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial at Thiaucourt, France, and the military cemetery at Anzio, Italy—each imbued with profound symbolic resonance. Furthermore, he designed the modern rendition of New York City’s official seal, demonstrating his versatility as an artist and his ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual representations.

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Paul Manship stands as a towering figure in American sculpture—a pioneer of Art Deco whose enduring influence continues to inspire artists today. His sculptures embody the spirit of classical art combined with modernist innovation, reflecting a profound engagement with artistic tradition while embracing stylistic experimentation. Recognized by the American Battle Monuments Commission for his monumental works commemorating wartime sacrifice, Manship’s legacy transcends mere aesthetic achievement; he represents an unwavering devotion to craftmanship and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of art—a testament to his enduring contribution to the visual arts.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for John Barrymore

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/paul-manship-john-barrymore-AQRHSF-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Manship, Paul. John Barrymore. 1918, https://artsdot.com/en/art/paul-manship-john-barrymore-AQRHSF-en/
    APA
    Manship, Paul (1918). John Barrymore [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/paul-manship-john-barrymore-AQRHSF-en/
    Chicago
    Paul Manship. John Barrymore. 1918. https://artsdot.com/en/art/paul-manship-john-barrymore-AQRHSF-en/
    Harvard
    Manship, Paul (1918) John Barrymore. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/paul-manship-john-barrymore-AQRHSF-en/

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 13, 2026

    John Barrymore — Paul Manship Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    John Barrymore — Paul Manship

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Look back at The French Heroes Fund Obverse (1918), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Paul Manship was about 33 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 13, 2026

    John Barrymore — Paul Manship Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Where can I buy a hand-painted reproduction of "John Barrymore" by Paul Manship?

    You can order a hand-painted reproduction of "John Barrymore" by Paul Manship directly on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, made to order.

    Is "John Barrymore" available as a fine art print?

    A print of "John Barrymore" by Paul Manship can be ordered directly on its Fine Art Print page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.

    Is "John Barrymore" by Paul Manship a light or a dark artwork?

    The recorded values for "John Barrymore" by Paul Manship are: shadow brightness, gentle luminance luminance.