Edward O. Wilson

Object Details

Artist

Jennie Summerall, born 1959

Sitter

Edward Osborne Wilson, born 10 Jun 1929

Exhibition Label

Born Birmingham, Alabama

Biologist Edward O. Wilson-two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction-has been a leader of the biodiversity movement since the 1980s. Trained as an entomologist specializing in ant biology, Wilson has ranged from New Guinea and Sri Lanka to the Smithsonian Institution for his work. His groundbreaking Sociobiology: The New Synthesis (1975) was a controversial study that examined the biological basis of social behavior in all kinds of organisms, including vertebrates, with links to evolutionary biology. A hallmark of his later work has been an attempt to bridge the gap between science and the culture at large, as in Consilience: The Unity of Life (1998).

Artist Jennie Summerall posed Wilson in a setting reminiscent of the landscape on Lignum Vitae Key in Florida, which he helped preserve. Based on photographic images, the painting references Wilson's earlier studies on ant populations, while depicting him as he looks today.

Provenance

The artist; purchased 2007 NPG

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

2006

Object number

NPG.2007.4

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Copyright

© 2006 Jennie Summerall

Type

Painting

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

Stretcher: 147 x 116.8cm (57 7/8 x 46")

Frame: 152.1 x 121.9 x 4.4cm (59 7/8 x 48 x 1 3/4")

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

20th Century Americans: 2000 to Present

On View

NPG, South Gallery 341

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Exterior\Landscape

Nature & Environment\Animal\Insect\Butterfly

Nature & Environment\Plant\Tree\Palm

Nature & Environment\Animal\Snail

Nature & Environment\Animal\Spider

Edward Osborne Wilson: Male

Edward Osborne Wilson: Literature\Writer

Edward Osborne Wilson: Education\Educator\Professor

Edward Osborne Wilson: Science and Technology\Scientist\Biologist\Zoologist

Edward Osborne Wilson: Humanities and Social Sciences\Sociologist

Edward Osborne Wilson: Science and Technology\Scientist\Biologist

Edward Osborne Wilson: Science and Technology\Scientist\Biologist\Zoologist\Entomologist

Edward Osborne Wilson: Pulitzer Prize

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.2007.4

Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm49569db14-89a7-4eec-9ebe-3206bbf44af9