Kunstner
Født i Buffalo, United States of America
Charles Cary Rumsey: A Life Bridging Art, Sport, and War
Born: August 29, 1879, Buffalo, New York
Died: September 21, 1922
Known For: Equestrian sculptures, bronze statues of thoroughbreds
Other Notable Pursuits: Eight-goal polo player, World War I Captain
Charles Cary Rumsey (born Charles Cary Rumsey, later known as Charles Cary) was a multifaceted American figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He distinguished himself not only as a talented sculptor but also as an accomplished athlete and military officer. Born into a prominent Buffalo family with roots in tanning, railroads, and architecture, Rumsey’s life reflected a blend of privilege, artistic passion, and dedication to both sport and service.
Early Life and Artistic Training
Rumsey's early exposure to art was significant; his uncle, George Cary, was a noted architect. He began sculpting at a young age, demonstrating remarkable talent. His formal training commenced with studies at the Boston Art School before he journeyed to Paris in 1902 to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. This period proved crucial, as he studied under renowned animalier sculptors Paul Weyland Bartlett and Emmanuel Fremiet. These masters instilled in him a deep appreciation for capturing movement and vitality in his depictions of animals, particularly horses.
Artistic Style and Notable Works
Rumsey’s artistic style was rooted in the Beaux-Arts tradition, characterized by its monumental scale and classical influences. However, he also demonstrated an openness to modern trends, as evidenced by his inclusion in the 1913 Armory Show. His most celebrated works include:
Hamburg: A bronze statue of a thoroughbred racehorse.
Burgomaster: Another notable equestrian sculpture.
Good and Plenty: Commissioned by Thomas Hitchcock, showcasing his skill in portraying horses and riders.
World Champion Trotter Nancy Hanks: Created for John E. Madden, further demonstrating his expertise in equine portraiture.
The Three Graces Fountain: A decorative fountain created for the estate of railroad magnate E.H. Harriman.
Manhattan Bridge Frieze: A significant public commission featuring bas-relief panels depicting Indians, horses, and buffaloes.
His work often blended mythological themes with realistic portrayals, resulting in sculptures that were both powerful and elegant.
Military Service and Later Life
During World War I, Rumsey served as a Captain with the 77th Infantry Division and the 40th Engineers. His brother, Laurence Dana Rumsey Jr., was a pilot in the Lafayette Escadrille, highlighting the family’s commitment to service during wartime. Beyond his military contributions, Rumsey remained an avid polo player, achieving recognition as an eight-goal player—a testament to his athleticism and skill. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1922 when he died in an automobile accident at the age of 43.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Charles Cary Rumsey’s legacy rests on his ability to capture the dynamism and beauty of horses and their riders. His sculptures, particularly his equestrian works, are admired for their technical skill and artistic merit. While rooted in the Beaux-Arts tradition, he demonstrated a willingness to experiment with modern styles, foreshadowing later developments in American sculpture. His contributions to public art, such as the Manhattan Bridge frieze, ensured that his work would be seen by generations of New Yorkers. Today, Rumsey’s sculptures can be found in museums and private collections, continuing to inspire appreciation for his talent and vision.
Museum
Udstillet på Reading, USA
En vævning af verdener: En udforskning af Reading Public Museum
Dybt forankret i hjertet af Reading, Pennsylvania, er Reading Public Museum meget mere end blot et depot for artefakter; det er en levende portal, der forbinder os med århundreder af menneskelig kreativitet og kulturel udveksling. Grundlagt på arven fra Dr. Levi W. Mengels passion for oplevelsesorienteret læring, er denne dynamiske institution blomstret op til en bemærkelsesværdig destination, der sømløst forener kunst, videnskab og civilisation under ét tag – og strækker sig udad gennem sin betagende arboret.
Museets historie begynder i 1904 med erhvervelsen af udstillinger fra verdensudstillingen i Saint Louis, en begivenhed, der øjeblikkeligt etablerede et globalt perspektiv i dets samlinger. Fra disse ydmyge begyndelser er Reading Public Museum vokset til en skattekiste, der rummer over 280.000 genstande, omhyggeligt kurateret til at fortælle en rig og mangefacetteret historie. Selve bygningen, der stod færdig i 1928 i den storslåede Beaux-Arts-stil, er et vidnesbyrd om epokens arkitektoniske storhed – et svævende rum designet til at vække ærefrygt og fremme udforskning. Som en tilføjelse til denne visuelle pragt står det tilstødende 25 acre store arboret, nøje planlagt af den berømende landskabsarkitekt John Nolen, som tilbyder et fredfyldt fristed og en levende forbindelse til naturen, der komplementerer museets mangfoldige samlinger.
En samlers kaleidoskop: Højdepunkter fra museets mangfoldige samlinger
Reading Public Museums styrke ligger i dets bemærkelsesværdigt omfattende samling, et bevis på grundlæggernes vision. I sin kerne findes en imponerende amerikansk kunstsamling, der tæller over syv hundrede oliemalerier af både etablerede mestre og spirende talenter. Inden for denne samling finder man værker af lysende skikkelser som Benjamin West, Raphaelle Peale, Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully samt de stemningsfulde landskaber af Frederic Church og Susan Macdowell Eakins. I nyere tid har museet omfavnet modernismen og fremviser værker af Milton Avery, Alexander Calder, Helen Frankenthaler og Louise Nevelson – kunstnere, der redefinerede det kunstneriske udtryk i det 20. århundrede.
Udover den amerikanske kunst er museets besiddelser lige så fængslende. Europæiske malerier af Edgar Degas, Charles Francois Daubigny, Albert Lebourg og Marià Fortuny giver glimt af de kontinentale kunsttraditioner. Skulpturerne spænder fra de monumentale værker af Auguste Rodin til de delikate former hos Henry Moore og George Segal, hvilket skaber en håndgribelig forbindelse til den tredimensionelle kunst. Museets samling af antikke artefakter er ligeså medrivende og rummer en bemærkelsesværdigt velbevaret Neferina-mumie fra det ptolemæiske Egypten, side om side med en imponerende række græske vaser – herunder den berømte Herakles-vase tilskrevet Alkmene-maleren – samt romerske marmorskulpturer. Ydermere fremviser galleriet for våben og rustning exceptionelle europæiske våben og beklædning fra det 16. og 17. århundrede, kulminerende i en storslået Maximilian-rustning.
Bag murene: Samfundsengagement og særlige begivenheder
Reading Public Museum er dybt forankret i det lokale samfund. Det er ikke blot et sted at betragte kunst; det er et dynamisk knudepunkt for kulturel udveksling og livslang læring. Museet er vært for en bred vifte af begivenheder, herunder den årlige American Indian Festival, som fejrer de rige traditioner og kunstfærdighed i de oprindelige amerikanske kulturer. Berks Art Alliance-udstillinger fremviser lokale kunstneres arbejde og fremmer kreativiteten i regionen. Desuden tilbyder Neag Planetarium fængslende rejser gennem kosmos, mens jazzkoncerter regelmæssigt fylder museets sale og skaber en livlig atmosfære for alle aldre.
En unik forening: Videnskab, civilisation og sanselig opdagelse
Det, der virkelig adskiller Reading Public Museum, er dets holistiske tilgang til kulturel udforskning. I modsætning til mange museer, der specialiserer sig i en enkelt disciplin, integrerer RPM sømløst kunst, videnskab og civilisation, hvilket tilbyder de besøgende en dybt berigende oplevelse. Kombinationen af de mangfoldige samlinger, den serene skønhed i arboretet og det fordybende miljø i planetariet skaber en uovertruffen ramme for opdagelse. Dr. Levi W. Mengels oprindelige vision – at fremme sansebaseret uddannelse gennem direkte engagement med artefakter – forbliver hjertet i museets mission og sikrer, at hvert besøg er en rejse fyldt med undren og intellektuel stimulering.
