Hermon Atkins MacNeil | |
|---|---|
 MacNeil,c. 1907 | |
| Born | (1866-02-27)February 27, 1866 Everett, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | October 2, 1947(1947-10-02) (aged 81) Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery Everett, Massachusetts[1] |
| Known for | Sculpture |
| Notable work | Standing Liberty Quarter Justice, the Guardian of Liberty |
Hermon Atkins MacNeil (February 27, 1866 – October 2, 1947) was an Americansculptor born inEverett, Massachusetts. He is known for designing theStanding Liberty quarter, struck by the Mint from 1916 to 1930; and for sculptingJustice, the Guardian of Liberty on the east pediment of theUnited States Supreme Court building.
MacNeil graduated fromMassachusetts Normal Art School, nowMassachusetts College of Art and Design, in 1886,[2] became an instructor in industrial art atCornell University from 1886 to 1889, and was then a pupil ofHenri M. Chapu andAlexandre Falguière inParis. Returning to America, he aidedPhilip Martiny (1858–1927) in the preparation of sketch models for theWorld's Columbian Exposition, and in 1896 he won the Rinehart scholarship, passing four years (1896–1900) inRome.[3]
In 1906 he became a National Academician. His first important work wasThe Moqui Runner, which was followed byA Primitive Chant, andThe Sun Vow, all figures of the NorthAmerican Indian.[3] Several of his earlier American Indian sculptures served as the inspiration for his later contribution to the long runningSociety of Medalists,Hopi Prayer for Rain.Fountain of Liberty, for theLouisiana Purchase Exposition, and other Indian themes came later; hisAgnese and hisBeatrice, which are two fine busts of women, and his nude statuettes, which echo his time spent in Rome and Paris,[4] also deserve mention. One of his principal works is theWilliam McKinley Monument sculpture inColumbus, Ohio, in honor of PresidentWilliam McKinley. In 1909 he won in competition a commission for a large soldiers' and sailors' monument inAlbany, New York.[3]
Perhaps his best known work is as the designer of theStanding Liberty quarter, which was minted from 1916 to 1930, and carries his initial to the right of the date. He also madeJustice, the Guardian of Liberty on the east pediment of theUnited States Supreme Court building.
MacNeil was one of a dozen sculptors invited to compete in thePioneer Woman statue competition in 1927,[5] which he failed to win. His work was also part of the art competitions at the1928 Summer Olympics and the1932 Summer Olympics.[6]
One of his last works was thePony Express statue dedicated in 1940 inSt. Joseph, Missouri.
His wife,Carol Brooks MacNeil, also a sculptor of distinction, was a pupil ofFrederick William MacMonnies[3] and a member of theWhite Rabbits.
![Statue of Ezra Cornell (1919), campus of Cornell University[7]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aStatue_of_Ezra_Cornell%2c_founder_of_Cornell_University.jpg)
_-_DSC06751.JPG)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Macneil, Hermon Atkins".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 265.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
