Morton Clark “Bob” Bradley, Jr.

Morton Clark “Bob” Bradley, Jr.

22 May 1912

26 September 2004

Artist, Art Restorer

Morton Clark Bradley, Jr., who went by “Bob,” was born to Marie Boisen and Morton Clark Bradley, Sr., in Arlington, Massachusetts, on 22 May 1912. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1929 and then from Harvard University with a degree in fine arts in 1933. After graduation, he won a scholarship to study piano in Europe. He later became the head conservator at Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum and was recognized as the premier American art restorer in the 1940s and 1950s. His book The Treatment of Paintings (1950) is still considered an important reference work. Bob was a respected artist noted for his metal, mathematical sculptures, several of which are on display in the Morton C. Bradley, Jr. Education Center at the Wylie House. Bob outlived his parents and sister and stayed in their family home in Arlington until his death on 26 September 2004. He bequeathed his entire estate to Indiana University and named the Wylie House as one of three beneficiary departments. Documents, furniture, textiles, glassware, china, and an ancient Christmas cactus (now in the museum’s front hall) were returned to the Wylie House after being housed in the Bradley home in Arlington for over 90 years. Learn more here.