Paul Manship

Born: 1885

Death: 1966

Biography:

Paul Manship was an American sculptor, born on December 24, 1885, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is well known for his large public commissions, including the iconic Prometheus in Rockefeller Center. Manship's style is characterized by a classical approach to sculpture, and he was a major force in the Art Deco movement.

Sculpture Career

Manship began his art studies at the St. Paul School of Art in Minnesota. He then moved to Philadelphia and continued his education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Following that, he migrated to New York City where he enrolled in the Art Students League of New York, studying anatomy with George Bridgman and modeling under Hermon Atkins MacNeil. From 1905 to 1907, he served as an assistant to sculptor Solon Borglum. Manship's work is often considered a major precursor to Art Deco. He produced over 700 works and always employed assistants of the highest quality. At least two of them, Gaston Lachaise and Leo Friedlander, went on to create significant places for themselves in the history of American sculpture.

Notable Works

Some of Manship's notable works include:

• Running Atalanta, a marble sculpture created in 1958, housed at the prestigious Smithsonian American Art Museum.
• Kultur Medal, a bronze medal created in 1918, during World War I.
• August Jaccaci, a relief sculpture created in 1930, also housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Manship was chosen by the American Battle Monuments Commission to create monuments following both the First and Second World Wars. These are located respectively in the American Cemetery at Thiaucourt, France in 1926, and in the military cemetery at Anzio, Italy. Manship's work can be found on Wikioo.org, a virtual museum with a searchable directory of painting and sculpture from the 12th to the 20th century. His sculptures are characterized by a flowing simplicity and a preference for linear compositions, which appealed to both modernists and conservatives. Key aspects of Manship's work include his use of classical subjects, his interest in Archaic art, and his development of an interest in classical sculpture of India. Traces of these influences can be observed in his work, such as Dancer and Gazelles. Manship was a major figure in the Art Deco movement, and his sculptures continue to be celebrated for their beauty and elegance. As a sculptor, he was known for his ability to create works that were both modern and traditional, making him a significant contributor to the world of art.