Lorado Zadoc Taft

Born:

April 29, 1860, Elmwood, Illinois, USA

Died:

October 30, 1936, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Sculptor, Art Educator, Writer

Early Life and Education

• Graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1879.
• Studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1880 to 1883.

Career and Major Achievements

• Returned to Chicago and began teaching at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1886, where he remained for over 40 years.
• Played a significant role in promoting American sculpture and art education.
• Led a group of female sculptors known as "The White Rabbits" or "The White Mice" to create architectural sculpture for the Horticultural Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
• Authored several influential books on sculpture, including The History of American Sculpture (1903).

Notable Works

• The Eternal Silence (Graceland Cemetery, Chicago)
• The Fountain of Time (Washington Park, Chicago)
• The Fountain of the Great Lakes (Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago)
• Black Hawk Statue (Oregon, Illinois)

Publications

• The History of American Sculpture (1903)
• Modern Tendencies in Sculpture (1921)

Legacy and Impact

Lorado Taft was a pivotal figure in the development of American sculpture and art education. His monumental works and influential writings helped shape the artistic landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Viewing the Lorado Taft biography channel productions and reading historical records offers important context.

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