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FELIX
DE WELDON
April 1907-June 2003
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Felix
de Weldon (1907–2003) is considered the last great
master of sculpture. With more than two thousand public
monuments, Felix de Weldon was not only the most prolific
monumental sculptor in history, but until his death, on
June 3rd, 2003, he was known to be the only sculptor in
the history of the world with monuments on every continent
(Admiral Byrd in Antarctica). He completed thirty-three
monuments in Washington, DC alone, while his closest competitor
completed only three.
Born in Austria in April 1907, his first giant step to
fame was in 1924. At age 18, he received the commission
to do a monument to commemorate President Hoover’s
Children’s Relief in Europe (The Call of Youth).
Upon its completion in 1927, he received worldwide recognition.
After earning his PhD in 1929, he decided to broaden his
knowledge of ancient and modern art. He went to Florence
and Rome where he had the opportunity to study the impressive
works of Greek and Roman masters, like Phydias, Polyclitus
and Myron, as well as the geniuses of the Renaissance:
Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Donatello. Next he
went to Spain where he studied the works of Goya and Velazquez.
Then he moved to Paris where he studied intensely the
works of Rodin, Maillol and Bourdelle.
After studying archeology at Oxford, he settled in London.
There he established his art studio and members of the
royal family attended his first one-man exhibit. His bust
of King George V was honored by being placed in the National
Portrait Gallery and won him the title of Sir Felix de
Weldon. He was invited to Canada to sculpt Prime Minister
McKenzie who recommended de Weldon to travel to the United
States. In America, he was deeply impressed by the friendliness
of the people and extensive studies of early American
art. He developed a deep understanding of the country
and undertook numerous national as well as international
commissions.
After proving his attributes as an artist, in 1950 he
was appointed Commissioner of Fine Arts by President Truman,
where he served in order to raise awareness of art and
sculpture. Felix de Weldon was Commissioner of Fine Arts
under five Presidents.
His love for humanity and understanding of the human condition
prompted many organizations to seek his works.
He created national monuments, such as the International
Red Cross Monument, which is a statement to the selfless
actions of people who crossed borders to change lives.
He also sculpted the International AIDS Monument to commemorate
the lives lost to that terrible disease.
His love for humankind and empathy toward suffering inspired
him to create the Peace Monument, a sculpture dedicated
to the dream of a world without war.
Felix de Weldon was responsible for creating the most
recognizable monument of the 20th Century, the Iwo Jima
War Memorial, which is the largest bronze sculpture in
the world to date. |
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