Louis Amateis

Louis Amateis, American sculptor born in Turin, Italy on December 13, 1855. Studying architecture at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and sculpture at the Royal Academy of Fine Art. He also studied in Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1884. While working as an architectural sculptor for McKim, Mead, and White he married his wife, Dora Ballin, in 1889. After getting married, the couple and their four sons moved to Washington, D.C. where he founded the School of Architecture and Fine Arts at what became George Washington University. He served as chairman from 1892-1902. He died March 18, 1913 of apoplexy. His son, Edmond, went on to be a prominent sculptor as well.

Amateis was a member of the National Sculpture Society.