Nationality American Name Hermon MacNeil | Died October 2, 1947 Known for Sculpture | |
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Born February 27, 1866 ( 1866-02-27 ) Everett, Massachusetts Notable work Standing Liberty Quarter
Justice, the Guardian of Liberty Similar People Anna Hyatt Huntington, Augusta Savage, Henri Chapu, Alexandre Falguiere, Gutzon Borglum | ||
"Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial" by Hermon Atkins MacNeil - Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO
Hermon Atkins MacNeil (February 27, 1866 – October 2, 1947) was an American sculptor born in Everett, Massachusetts. He is known for designing the Standing Liberty quarter, and for sculpting Justice, the Guardian of Liberty on the east pediment of the United States Supreme Court building.
Contents
- Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial by Hermon Atkins MacNeil Museum Without Walls AUDIO
- Career
- Family
- References
Career
MacNeil graduated from Massachusetts Normal Art School, now Massachusetts College of Art and Design, in 1886, became an instructor in industrial art at Cornell University from 1886 to 1889, and was then a pupil of Henri M. Chapu and Alexandre Falguière in Paris. Returning to America, he aided Philip Martiny (1858–1927) in the preparation of sketch models for the World's Columbian Exposition, and in 1896 he won the Rinehart scholarship, passing four years (1896–1900) in Rome.
In 1906 he became a National Academician. His first important work was The Moqui Runner, which was followed by A Primitive Chant, and The Sun Vow, all figures of the North American Indian. Several of his earlier American Indian sculptures served as the inspiration for his later contribution to the long running Society of Medalists, Hopi Prayer for Rain. Fountain of Liberty, for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and other Indian themes came later; his Agnese and his Beatrice, which are two fine busts of women, and his nude statuettes, which echo his time spent in Rome and Paris, also deserve mention. One of his principal works is the sculpture in Columbus, Ohio, in honor of President William McKinley. In 1909 he won in competition a commission for a large soldiers' and sailors' monument in Albany, New York.
Perhaps his best known work is as the designer of the Standing Liberty quarter, which was minted from 1916 to 1930, and carries his initial to the right of the date.
He also made Justice, the Guardian of Liberty on the east pediment of the United States Supreme Court building.
MacNeil was one of a dozen sculptors invited to compete in the Pioneer Woman statue competition in 1927, which he failed to win.
One of his last works was the Pony Express statue dedicated in 1940 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Family
His wife, Carol Brooks MacNeil, also a sculptor of distinction, was a pupil of Frederick William MacMonnies and a member of the White Rabbits.
