Julia Bracken Wendt
Encyclopedia
Julia Bracken Wendt, a notable American sculptor, was born in Apple River, Illinois
, the twelfth of thirteen children in an Irish Catholic family. Unsupported at home following the death of her mother when she was nine years old, she ran away from home at thirteen. By sixteen she was working as as a domestic servant for a woman who recognized her talent and drive and paid to enroll her in the Chicago Art Institute. There she studies with Lorado Taft
and by 1887 she had advanced to become his studio and teaching assistant. In 1893, during the Columbian Exposition she was one of several women sculptors nicknamed the White Rabbits who helped produce some of the architectural sculpture
that graced the exposition buildings. Aside from that she was awarded a commission to produce Illinois Welcoming the Nations for the Fair. The work was later cast in bronze and unveiled at the Illinois State Capitol
, at which time Governor Altgeld
was the main speaker.
After successfully pursuing her career for a number of years in 1906 she married painter William Wendt
and moved to Los Angeles, California
where she continued her success. In California she taught at the Otis Art Institute
.
Wendt was a member of the National Sculpture Society
and exhibited and was featured in both the 1923 and 1929 Exhibitions and the resulting catalogues.
Apple River, Illinois
Apple River is a village in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. The population was 366 at the 2010 census, down from 379 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Apple River is located at ....
, the twelfth of thirteen children in an Irish Catholic family. Unsupported at home following the death of her mother when she was nine years old, she ran away from home at thirteen. By sixteen she was working as as a domestic servant for a woman who recognized her talent and drive and paid to enroll her in the Chicago Art Institute. There she studies with Lorado Taft
Lorado Taft
Lorado Zadoc Taft was an American sculptor, writer and educator. Taft was born in Elmwood, Illinois in 1860 and died in his home studio in Chicago in 1936.-Early years and education:...
and by 1887 she had advanced to become his studio and teaching assistant. In 1893, during the Columbian Exposition she was one of several women sculptors nicknamed the White Rabbits who helped produce some of the architectural sculpture
Architectural sculpture
Architectural sculpture is the term for the use of sculpture by an architect and/or sculptor in the design of a building, bridge, mausoleum or other such project...
that graced the exposition buildings. Aside from that she was awarded a commission to produce Illinois Welcoming the Nations for the Fair. The work was later cast in bronze and unveiled at the Illinois State Capitol
Illinois State Capitol
The Illinois State Capitol, located in Springfield, Illinois, is the building that houses the executive and legislative branches of the government of the U.S. state of Illinois. The current building is the sixth capitol of the state since its admission as a state of the United States in 1818. The...
, at which time Governor Altgeld
John Peter Altgeld
John Peter Altgeld was the 20th Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1893 until 1897. He was the first Democratic governor of that state since the 1850s...
was the main speaker.
After successfully pursuing her career for a number of years in 1906 she married painter William Wendt
William Wendt
William Wendt was an American landscape painter. He was called the "Dean of Southern California landscape painters."Wendt was a founding member of the California Art Club, along with his wife Julia Bracken Wendt, and served as its president for six years.Wendt built his studio in Laguna Beach,...
and moved to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
where she continued her success. In California she taught at the Otis Art Institute
Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design is an art and design college in Los Angeles, California.The school's programs, accredited by WASC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include four-year BFA degrees in illustration, fine arts, graphic design, architecture, landscape design, interior...
.
Wendt was a member of the National Sculpture Society
National Sculpture Society
Founded in 1893, the National Sculpture Society was the first organization of professional sculptors formed in the United States. The purpose of the organization was to promote the welfare of American sculptors, although its founding members included several renowned architects. The founding...
and exhibited and was featured in both the 1923 and 1929 Exhibitions and the resulting catalogues.
Work
Her work can be found in:- Chicago Historical Society
- Civil War Monument, Missionary RidgeMissionary RidgeMissionary Ridge is a geographic feature in Chattanooga, Tennessee, site of the Battle of Missionary Ridge, a battle in the American Civil War, fought on November 25, 1863. Union forces under Maj. Gens. Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and George H...
, Chattanooga, TennesseeChattanooga, TennesseeChattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County... - Laguna Art MuseumLaguna Art MuseumThe Laguna Art Museum is a museum located in Laguna Beach, California on Pacific Coast Highway.An exhibition titled ...
- Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
Portrait Collection - old Los Angeles City Hall (now located in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyThe Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County opened in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA in 1913 as the Museum of History, Science, and Art. The moving force behind it was a museum association founded in 1910. Its distinctive main building, with fitted marble walls and domed and...
) - Lincoln ParkLincoln ParkLincoln Park is an urban park in Chicago, which gave its name to the Lincoln Park, Chicago community area.Lincoln Park may also refer to:-Urban parks:*Lincoln Park , California*Lincoln Park, San Francisco, California...
, Los Angeles, California - as well as in numerous private collections