word about Cyrus Dallin? Because each of us senses his importance.
This is a visual judgment, so words won’t ever convince you. Here are
a few samples of the 268 pieces it is estimated that he sculpted:
Check back soon!
Dallin’s reply: "Only for a second, but in that second you live."
He took cold, inert materials and animated them. Bronze, marble, plaster, clay—these have no life beyond what an artist gives them. Dallin gave them life.
Cyrus Dallin set the highest standard of the most robust American Classicism to date. His historic contribution was to connect the high art of Europe with the themes of America. Patriots, Indians, American War Heroes—each was given the attention and respect of a sensitive, observant man.
After his death, his work was ignored for decades. Many works were lost, abandoned, or thrown away. But enough people enjoyed his work to preserve some portion—a photograph, a sketch, a letter, a model, and, sometimes, an actual sculpture.
History has made the first cut. Now, this is our opportunity to let future generations know what we value. We think Cyrus Dallin was a genius, and we want him to make the big leagues of Art History. Please help us if you agree.