Gutzon Borglum
Gutzon Borglum was an American painter and sculptor, who drew inspiration from many people in his life, and went on to make many famous sculptures, including Mount Rushmore.
Gutzon Borglum, an American artist and sculptor, was responsible for many famous sculptures around the United States. His greatest achievement, both in size and in importance, was constructing Mount Rushmore, in the Black Hills. A big component to his success was the connections he formed with the people who commissioned him.
Gutzon Borglum met Elizabeth Jaynes Putnam (who was a painter) while studying art. Elizabeth became Gutzon’s teacher and mentor, helping him with his career and his education. They were married quickly thereafter. While in California, Borglum painted a portrait of General John C. Fremont, and he quickly began to enjoy having connections with a wealthy and socially integrated customer. This became the starting point for his career. After the general's death, Gutzon was contacted by the general’s widow, and he was provided contacts for further commissions.
In preparation for the future, Gutzon traveled to Paris to improve his art. While there, he met sculptor Auguste Rodin, who inspired him to drop painting and pick up sculpting. Another large step in his career. Gutzon quickly came to realize his talent for sculpting, and he began finding commissions for sculptures. During this time, Borglum's marriage was falling apart, and he left Paris, without Elizabeth (in 1901). While he was traveling back to the United States, he met Mary Montgomery, an American who had just completed her doctorate in Berlin. Borglum and Montgomery married as soon as Putnam granted him a divorce. When Gutzon came back to America, he went back to work on commissions, but as a sculptor.
His first piece was a bust of Abraham Lincoln. This bust gained Borglum a national reputation and lead him to work on Stone Mountain, a massive stone carving of Robert E. Lee. While working on Stone Mountain, he developed techniques that would ultimately be used on Mount Rushmore and by future sculptors. Due to some complications, Borglum did not finish Stone Mountain. However, his involvement with Stone Mountain ultimately inspired him to sculpt Mount Rushmore. When looking back on Stone Mountain, Gutzon saw that it only had regional support. He then decided that Mount Rushmore needed to be a national subject. It was suggested that George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson would make up the sculpture. After meeting with president Theodore Roosevelt, Gutzon’s vision for America became a reality.
Gutzon was not always present during the construction of the monument; after instructing his workers of what to do, there would be periods where Borglum would not be needed. During these absences, he would go to Washington D.C. to request funds for the continued construction of Rushmore. During these times, he would also take on other commissions from
around the world. On March 6th, 1941, Gutzon Borglum died due to complications during a minor surgery. His son later finished the monument with the remaining funds.
During Gutzon Borglum’s life, he accomplished a lot involving sculptures that can be found around the world. Mount Rushmore was his crowning achievement, while also being his last.
Sources:
Mount Rushmore, “Biography, Gutzon Borglum.” PBS.org. WGBH Educational Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Gutzon Borglum.” Britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. Biography. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 28 Apr. 2005. Web. 9 Mar. 2017.
Gutzon Borglum (1867-1941) Sculptor of Mount Rushmore. Forgottennewsmakers.com. n.p. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.
Gutzon Borglum was an American painter and sculptor, who drew inspiration from many people in his life, and went on to make many famous sculptures, including Mount Rushmore.
Gutzon Borglum, an American artist and sculptor, was responsible for many famous sculptures around the United States. His greatest achievement, both in size and in importance, was constructing Mount Rushmore, in the Black Hills. A big component to his success was the connections he formed with the people who commissioned him.
Gutzon Borglum met Elizabeth Jaynes Putnam (who was a painter) while studying art. Elizabeth became Gutzon’s teacher and mentor, helping him with his career and his education. They were married quickly thereafter. While in California, Borglum painted a portrait of General John C. Fremont, and he quickly began to enjoy having connections with a wealthy and socially integrated customer. This became the starting point for his career. After the general's death, Gutzon was contacted by the general’s widow, and he was provided contacts for further commissions.
In preparation for the future, Gutzon traveled to Paris to improve his art. While there, he met sculptor Auguste Rodin, who inspired him to drop painting and pick up sculpting. Another large step in his career. Gutzon quickly came to realize his talent for sculpting, and he began finding commissions for sculptures. During this time, Borglum's marriage was falling apart, and he left Paris, without Elizabeth (in 1901). While he was traveling back to the United States, he met Mary Montgomery, an American who had just completed her doctorate in Berlin. Borglum and Montgomery married as soon as Putnam granted him a divorce. When Gutzon came back to America, he went back to work on commissions, but as a sculptor.
His first piece was a bust of Abraham Lincoln. This bust gained Borglum a national reputation and lead him to work on Stone Mountain, a massive stone carving of Robert E. Lee. While working on Stone Mountain, he developed techniques that would ultimately be used on Mount Rushmore and by future sculptors. Due to some complications, Borglum did not finish Stone Mountain. However, his involvement with Stone Mountain ultimately inspired him to sculpt Mount Rushmore. When looking back on Stone Mountain, Gutzon saw that it only had regional support. He then decided that Mount Rushmore needed to be a national subject. It was suggested that George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson would make up the sculpture. After meeting with president Theodore Roosevelt, Gutzon’s vision for America became a reality.
Gutzon was not always present during the construction of the monument; after instructing his workers of what to do, there would be periods where Borglum would not be needed. During these absences, he would go to Washington D.C. to request funds for the continued construction of Rushmore. During these times, he would also take on other commissions from
around the world. On March 6th, 1941, Gutzon Borglum died due to complications during a minor surgery. His son later finished the monument with the remaining funds.
During Gutzon Borglum’s life, he accomplished a lot involving sculptures that can be found around the world. Mount Rushmore was his crowning achievement, while also being his last.
Sources:
Mount Rushmore, “Biography, Gutzon Borglum.” PBS.org. WGBH Educational Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Gutzon Borglum.” Britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. Biography. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 28 Apr. 2005. Web. 9 Mar. 2017.
Gutzon Borglum (1867-1941) Sculptor of Mount Rushmore. Forgottennewsmakers.com. n.p. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.