Rabboni (sculpture)

Rabboni is a public artwork by American artist Gutzon Borglum, located Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C., United States. Rabboni was surveyed as part of the Smithsonian Save Outdoor Sculpture! survey in 1993. It is a tribute to Charles Matthews Ffoulke, prominent Washington banker and tapestry collector.^[1][2]

Rabboni
Ffoulke Memorial, Rabboni-Ffoulke Memorial
Artist	Gutzon Borglum
Year	1909 (1909)
Type	Bronze sculpture
Dimensions	190 cm × 94 cm × 94 cm (75 in × 37 in × 37 in)
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates	38°56′54.1″N 77°0′40.24″W
Owner	Rock Creek Cemetery

Description

This Realist sculpture depicts Mary Magdalene^[3] emerging from an alcove consisting of three granite blocks that surround her. Dressed in long robes and a cape which covers her head, her proper right hand is raised to lift the cape from her head. Her proper left arm is extended outward in front of her. Her proper right leg is stepping forward, to recognize Jesus Christ has risen from his tomb on Easter.

The lower right of the sculpture is signed: Gutzon Borglum Sc / Gorham Co.

The front of the sculptures base is inscribed: RABBONI

On the back of the center granite piece is an upper bronze plaque which is inscribed:

THE END OF BIRTH IS DEATH

THE END OF DEATH IS LIFE AND

WHERFOR MOURNEST THOU

A lower bronze plaque is inscribed:

IN MEMORY OF

Charles Mather Ffoulke

1841–1909

Sarah Cushing

His Wife

1852–1926

AND THEIR CHILDREN

HORACE CUSHING FFOULKE

1876–1903

GWENDOLINE FFOULKE

CHARLES MATHER FFOULKE II

1889–1912

AND

HORACE CUSHING

BELOVED FATHER OF SARAH CUSHING

1819–1865^[2]

Gallery

• 
  Detail
• 
  Front

Information

The title of this piece, Rabboni, is traditionally spelled "Rabbouni", which is Aramaic in origin [similar to Hebrew form of "rabbi"]. Upon seeing the resurrected Christ, Magdalene calls him "Rabbouni," per this Bible passage:^[3]

John 20:16

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabbouni; which is to say, dear Master". (KJV)

Actress Edith Wynne Matthison was the model for the statue.^[3]

Further reading

• Price, Willadene, Gutzon Borglum, Artist and Patriot. Chicago: Rand McNally (1972). ^{[ISBN missing]}