Alexander Milne Calder

Alexander Milne Calder was a renowned Scottish-American sculptor, best known for his work on the Philadelphia City Hall and the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square (Philadelphia). Calder's artistic style was influenced by his training at the Royal Academy in London and his work with prominent sculptors such as Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Daniel Chester French. He was also associated with the National Sculpture Society and the Art Students League of New York. Calder's sculptures can be found in various locations, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

● Early Life and Education

Alexander Milne Calder was born in Aberdeen, Scotland to a family of masons and carpenters. He began his artistic training at the Aberdeen Grammar School and later attended the Royal Academy in London, where he studied under the guidance of John Henry Foley and Thomas Brock. Calder's early work was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the importance of handicrafts and decorative arts. He was also inspired by the works of Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, which he encountered during his travels to Paris and Rome.

● Career

Calder's career as a sculptor spanned over four decades, during which he worked on numerous projects, including monuments, fountains, and statues. He was commissioned to create sculptures for various locations, including the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Calder's work was also exhibited at the National Academy of Design in New York City and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.. He was a member of the National Sculpture Society and the Society of American Artists, and he worked with other prominent artists, such as Frederick William MacMonnies and Hermon Atkins MacNeil.

● Notable Works

Some of Calder's most notable works include the William Penn (Calder statue) on top of the Philadelphia City Hall and the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square (Philadelphia). He also created sculptures for the New York Public Library and the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. Calder's work can be found in various museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, as well as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. His sculptures are also located in parks and gardens, such as the Central Park in New York City and the Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.

● Style and Legacy

Calder's style was characterized by his use of marble and bronze to create intricate and detailed sculptures. He was influenced by the Beaux-Arts style and the Art Nouveau movement, which emphasized the importance of ornamentation and decoration. Calder's work was also influenced by his interest in mythology and history, which is reflected in his sculptures of gods and goddesses from Greek mythology and Roman mythology. His legacy can be seen in the work of other sculptors, such as Paul Manship and Lee Lawrie, who were influenced by his style and technique. Calder's sculptures continue to be admired and studied by art historians and enthusiasts, and his work remains an important part of the cultural heritage of the United States.

● Personal Life

Calder was married to Katherine Milne Calder and had several children, including Alexander Stirling Calder, who also became a sculptor. He was a member of the National Arts Club and the Salmagundi Club, and he was involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Calder died on June 4, 1923, in New York City and was buried in the West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. His legacy continues to be celebrated through his sculptures, which can be found in various locations throughout the United States and Europe, including the Vatican Museums in Rome and the Louvre in Paris. Category:American sculptors