Harriet Whitney Frischmuth (1880-1980)
was an American sculptor known for her works in bronze. She was one of the most famous female American sculptors ever.
Frishmuth was born on September 17, 1880 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She studied briefly with Auguste Rodin at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and for two years with Cuno von Uechtritz-Steinkirch in Berlin.
The life of Harriet Whitney Frischmuth
Furthermore she was a student of the Art Students League of New York. During her time at the Students League she worked as an assistant of the Austrian sculptor Karl Bitter at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Her first commissioned piece was a bas-relief for the New York County Medical Society in 1910. She also modeled ashtrays, bookends, and small figures for the Gorham Manufacturing Company. Frishmuth became well known for her beautiful renderings of females in bronze, particularly dancers (Desha Delteil frequently modeled for her).
Influences on her works
Her small bronzes were sought after by private collectors and by museums, and her large bronzes often were placed in elaborate garden settings or as the centerpieces of fountains.
Her work was exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, the Salon in Paris, the Golden Gate International Exposition (1939-1940) and the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors. One of her last exhibitions was in 1929.
She received a number of recognitions and honors over the course of her career: the St. Gaudens Medal from the Art Students League of New York (while still a student), several awards from the National Academy of Design, a prize from the Grand Central Art Galleries, an honorable mention from the Golden Gate International Exposition and so on.
One of her best-known works is the sculpture Aspiration in Philadelphia. She is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.