Edmond Romulus Amateis
Encyclopedia
Edmond Romulus Amateis was an American sculptor and educator. He is known for garden-figure sculptures, colossal architectural sculptures for public buildings and portrait busts.
in Washington D.C. and himself a noted sculptor. Edmond Amateis received his early education in Washington and took up studies of art at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design
in New York City
, in 1915 , which were interrupted during World War I
by service in the United States Army .
While in Europe, he spent four months in Paris at the Académie Julian
with François Boucher
and Paul Landowski
as his teachers. Back in the USA he resumed his studies at the Beaux-Arts Institute combined with work in the studios of Henry Shrady
and John Clements Gregory (1979–1958). In 1921 Amateis won the fellowship of the American Academy in Rome
for the next three years. From 1942 to 1944 he was the fifteenth president of the National Sculpture Society
.
In his later years Amateis lived in Florida and was also instrumental in flower breeding.
One rhododendron
type is named for him.
In 1956, Amateis was commissioned to design the bronze busts of 15 polio
experts plus President Franklin D. Roosevelt
and Basil O'Connor
for the Polio Hall of Fame
in Warm Springs, Georgia
, which was dedicated in 1958.
He is the author of a relief for the Kerckhoff Mausoleum, Los Angeles, and a memorial to William M. Davidson at Pittsburgh.
He designed many fountain and garden figures and also modelled numerous portrait busts and small bronzes.
and the Architectural League and an associate of the National Academy of Design
.
Life
Amateis was the son of Louis (Luigi) Amateis (1855−1913), who had immigrated from Italy in 1883 and became founder of the School of Architecture at George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in Washington D.C. and himself a noted sculptor. Edmond Amateis received his early education in Washington and took up studies of art at the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design
Beaux-Arts Institute of Design
The Beaux-Arts Institute of Design was an art and architectural school at 304 East 44th Street in Turtle Bay, Manhattan, in New York City...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, in 1915 , which were interrupted during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
by service in the United States Army .
While in Europe, he spent four months in Paris at the Académie Julian
Académie Julian
The Académie Julian was an art school in Paris, France.Rodolphe Julian established the Académie Julian in 1868 at the Passage des Panoramas, as a private studio school for art students. The Académie Julian not only prepared students to the exams at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, but offered...
with François Boucher
François Boucher
François Boucher was a French painter, a proponent of Rococo taste, known for his idyllic and voluptuous paintings on classical themes, decorative allegories representing the arts or pastoral occupations, intended as a sort of two-dimensional furniture...
and Paul Landowski
Paul Landowski
Paul Maximilien Landowski , a French monument sculptor of Polish ancestry. He was born in Paris to Polish refugees of the January Uprising, and died in Boulogne-Billancourt....
as his teachers. Back in the USA he resumed his studies at the Beaux-Arts Institute combined with work in the studios of Henry Shrady
Henry Shrady
Henry Merwin Shrady was the sculptor of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in Washington, D.C.Shrady was born in New York City. His father, George Shrady, was one of the physicians who attended former president Ulysses S...
and John Clements Gregory (1979–1958). In 1921 Amateis won the fellowship of the American Academy in Rome
American Academy in Rome
The American Academy in Rome is a research and arts institution located on the Gianicolo in Rome.- History :In 1893, a group of American architects, painters and sculptors met regularly while planning the fine arts section of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition...
for the next three years. From 1942 to 1944 he was the fifteenth president of the National Sculpture Society
National Sculpture Society
Founded in 1893, the National Sculpture Society was the first organization of professional sculptors formed in the United States. The purpose of the organization was to promote the welfare of American sculptors, although its founding members included several renowned architects. The founding...
.
In his later years Amateis lived in Florida and was also instrumental in flower breeding.
One rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
type is named for him.
Important works
After his return to the United States he was commissioned with a number of important works of architectural sculpture, such as- two aquatic war horses for the BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
War Memorial - a pediment and twelve metopes for the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society BuildingBuffalo and Erie County Historical Society BuildingThe Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society is located on Nottingham Court in the city of Buffalo, just east of Elmwood Avenue, north of the Scajaquada Expressway, in the northwest corner of Delaware Park. It occupies the building constructed in 1901 as the New York State pavilion for that...
- a relief for the Gannett BuildingGannett BuildingGannett Building is a historic industrial and commercial building located at Rochester in Monroe County, New York. It is a Classical Revival style structure constructed in 1927, with four major later additions...
in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New YorkRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City... - the Great Frieze on the north wall of the Kansas CityKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
Liberty MemorialLiberty MemorialThe Liberty Memorial, located in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War I and houses the The National World War I Museum, as designated by the United States Congress in 2004.. Groundbreaking commenced November 1, 1921, and the city held a site dedication...
finished in 1935, - the Acacia GriffinsAcacia GriffinsAcacia Griffins are public artworks by American sculptor Edmond Amateis, located at the Acacia Building at 51 Louisiana Avenue N.W., in Washington, D.C., United States.-Description:...
for the Acacia Life Insurance Company Building, - a relief and spandrels for the Department of Labor and Interstate Commerce Building, Washington, D.C.
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
experts plus President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and Basil O'Connor
Basil O'Connor
Basil O'Connor was an American lawyer. In co-operation with US-President Franklin D. Roosevelt he started two foundations for the rehabiltation of polio patients and the research on polio prevention and treatment...
for the Polio Hall of Fame
Polio Hall of Fame
The Polio Hall of Fame consists of a linear grouping of sculptured busts of fifteen scientists and two laymen who made important contributions to the knowledge and treatment of poliomyelitis...
in Warm Springs, Georgia
Warm Springs, Georgia
Warm Springs is a city in Meriwether County, Georgia, United States. The population was 478 at the 2010 census.-History:Warm Springs first came to prominence in the 19th century as a spa town, due to its mineral springs which flow constantly at nearly 32 °C...
, which was dedicated in 1958.
He is the author of a relief for the Kerckhoff Mausoleum, Los Angeles, and a memorial to William M. Davidson at Pittsburgh.
He designed many fountain and garden figures and also modelled numerous portrait busts and small bronzes.
Awards
In 1929 Summer won the Avery Prize given by the Architectural League, and in 1933, Circe the McClees Prize at the Pennsylvania Academy. He was for a time Associate in Sculpture at Columbia University. He was also a member of the National Sculpture SocietyNational Sculpture Society
Founded in 1893, the National Sculpture Society was the first organization of professional sculptors formed in the United States. The purpose of the organization was to promote the welfare of American sculptors, although its founding members included several renowned architects. The founding...
and the Architectural League and an associate of the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
.
External links
- Edmond R. Amateis papers, 1926-1977 from the Smithsonian Archives of American ArtArchives of American ArtThe Archives of American Art is the largest collection of primary resources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States. More than 16 million items of original material are housed in the Archives' research centers in Washington, D.C...
- Short biography from a Brookgreen Gardens brochure, Sculpture by Edmond Amateis, copyright 1937