Albert Laessle
Encyclopedia
Albert Laessle was an American sculptor and educator. He taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
for more than twenty years.
, Germany. Laessle had an older brother, Henry who was supportive of his artistic ambitions, whereas his parents were not.
Laessle studied art at several institutions; Spring Garden Institute in 1894, Drexel Institute (now Drexel University
) 1894-1895, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
where he studied under Thomas Anshutz and Charles Grafly
. He spent three years, from 1904 to 1907 in Paris working with Michel Beguine.
In 1907, he returned to Philadelphia and worked in Grafly's studio.
In 1901, he was a contender for a gold medal from the Philadelphia Club for his famous plaster work Turtle and Crab, the turtle was so accurately sculpted critics alleged it was cast. Laessle did not address the accusations which cost him the medal, but rather retaliated by producing another sculpture of a turtle out of wax which can not be cast, proving he did not cast the first work.
In 1910, he won a medal at the Buenos Aires International Exposition and in 1915, he won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. In 1916, he won first place in the Americanization Through Art exhibition in Philadelphia.
His famous sculptures can be found at the Carnegie Institute
, the Peabody Institute
, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In Rittenhouse Square
is the famous bronze sculpture "Billy", which is of a goat and is known to be a favorite of children who love to sit on it. The Philadelphia Zoo
has a group of "Bronze Penguins".
From 1919 until 1939, Laessle was an instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy. He retired due to a heart condition. In 1951, Laessle won the J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal from the American Numismatic Society
.
He later married Albertine C. De Bempt.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a museum and art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1805 and is the oldest art museum and school in the United States. The academy's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th and 20th century American paintings,...
for more than twenty years.
Life, education and career
Albert Laessle was born on March 28, 1877, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents immigrated to the United States from WürttembergWürttemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
, Germany. Laessle had an older brother, Henry who was supportive of his artistic ambitions, whereas his parents were not.
Laessle studied art at several institutions; Spring Garden Institute in 1894, Drexel Institute (now Drexel University
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
) 1894-1895, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a museum and art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1805 and is the oldest art museum and school in the United States. The academy's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th and 20th century American paintings,...
where he studied under Thomas Anshutz and Charles Grafly
Charles Grafly
Charles Allan Grafly, Jr. was an American sculptor and educator. He taught at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for 37 years.-Life and career:...
. He spent three years, from 1904 to 1907 in Paris working with Michel Beguine.
In 1907, he returned to Philadelphia and worked in Grafly's studio.
In 1901, he was a contender for a gold medal from the Philadelphia Club for his famous plaster work Turtle and Crab, the turtle was so accurately sculpted critics alleged it was cast. Laessle did not address the accusations which cost him the medal, but rather retaliated by producing another sculpture of a turtle out of wax which can not be cast, proving he did not cast the first work.
In 1910, he won a medal at the Buenos Aires International Exposition and in 1915, he won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. In 1916, he won first place in the Americanization Through Art exhibition in Philadelphia.
His famous sculptures can be found at the Carnegie Institute
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh are four museums that are operated by the Carnegie Institute headquartered in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, the Peabody Institute
Peabody Institute
The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is a renowned conservatory and preparatory school located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland at the corner of Charles and Monument Streets at Mount Vernon Place.-History:...
, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park cuts off 19th Street at Walnut Street and also at a half block above Manning Street. Its boundaries are...
is the famous bronze sculpture "Billy", which is of a goat and is known to be a favorite of children who love to sit on it. The Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, was the first zoo in the United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, its opening was delayed by the American Civil War until July 1, 1874...
has a group of "Bronze Penguins".
From 1919 until 1939, Laessle was an instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy. He retired due to a heart condition. In 1951, Laessle won the J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal from the American Numismatic Society
American Numismatic Society
The American Numismatic Society is a New York City-based organization dedicated to the study of coins and medals.-Introduction:...
.
Personal life
Laessle and his wife Mary had two sons, Dr. Albert Middleton Laessle and Paul Laessle (1908–1988), who was also an artist. Mary died of a stroke in 1944.He later married Albertine C. De Bempt.