While in New York for a Wild West show in 1903, Black Bird was first sculpted by the artist for his monumental Destiny of the Red Man made for the 1904 Saint Louis World’s Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition). This complex work included 10 human figures and three animals and brought Weinman his first national recognition as a sculptor. But, the massive sculpture, only a temporary creation of plaster and wood shavings called “staff”, was destroyed after the fair. This portrait bust was adapted from the full length figure of Black Bird in the monumental work. Fifteen casts were made at the Roman Bronze Works between 1909 and 1917.
From the exhibition:Frontier to Foundry: the Making of Small Bronze Sculpture in the Gilcrease Collection, December 2014 - March 2015.
Ann Boulton Young, Associate Conservator for the Gilcrease Museum, 2014.
Adolph Alexander Weinman immigrated to New York at age 10 with his family.
From the exhibition:Frontier to Foundry: the Making of Small Bronze Sculpture in the Gilcrease Collection, December 2014 - March 2015.
Ann Boulton Young, Associate Conservator for the Gilcrease Museum, 2014.
Role(s):
Artist
Names (all):
Weinman, Adolph Alexander
Birth Date:
1870
Death Date:
1952
Nationalities:
American (North American)
Roles:
American sculptor, 1870-1952
Gender:
male
Note:
American sculptor.
Related People:
French, Daniel Chester, student of - person American sculptor, 1850-1931
Martiny, Philip, student of - person American sculptor, 1858-1927
Niehaus, Charles Henry, student of - person American sculptor, 1855-1935
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus, apprentice of - person American sculptor, 1848-1907
Warner, Olin Levi, assistant of - person American sculptor, 1844-1896
![Chief Black Bird, Ogalalla [sic] Sioux](https://gm-piction-live.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/see_more/s3/assets/0827.127_primary_o6.jpg?itok=aJJl196K)
