The Solitude of the Soul
Encyclopedia
The Solitude of the Soul refers to one of three known works of sculpture
of that name by the American
sculptor Lorado Taft
, a Midwesterner born in 1860, who was active in the Chicago area from 1885 until his death in 1936. The accompanying photographs show the best-known version, carved in marble and dated 1914, which is presently among works of American sculpture on display in the Roger McCormick Memorial Court of the Art Institute of Chicago
.
Additional photographs, circa 1911, show models of this work in Taft’s studio prior to the First World War.
Taft, an Illinois
native who had been classically trained in Paris
and who came increasingly under the influence of Auguste Rodin
, explained the concept of the statue as follows: "The thought is the eternally present fact that however closely we may be thrown together by circumstances . . . we are unknown to each other."
Two other versions are known to exist. One is a near-same-sized plaster cast, possibly as early as 1901 and probably one of the models shown in the 19ll photographs, now in the collection of American art at the Dayton Art Institute
. The other is a smaller but much finer version cast in bronze, presently in the collection of the Krannert Art Museum
on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
.
During his lifetime Taft was friendly toward many Chicago-area artists and writers, including novelist Henry Blake Fuller
, Poetry Magazine founder and editor Harriet Monroe
, and his own brother-in-law, novelist Hamlin Garland
. Midwestern poet Jared Carter
pays tribute to Taft's "The Solitude of the Soul" in his contemporary sonnet of the same name.
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
of that name by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sculptor 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:...
, a Midwesterner born in 1860, who was active in the Chicago area from 1885 until his death in 1936. The accompanying photographs show the best-known version, carved in marble and dated 1914, which is presently among works of American sculpture on display in the Roger McCormick Memorial Court of the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
.
Additional photographs, circa 1911, show models of this work in Taft’s studio prior to the First World War.
Taft, an Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
native who had been classically trained in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and who came increasingly under the influence of Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
, explained the concept of the statue as follows: "The thought is the eternally present fact that however closely we may be thrown together by circumstances . . . we are unknown to each other."
Two other versions are known to exist. One is a near-same-sized plaster cast, possibly as early as 1901 and probably one of the models shown in the 19ll photographs, now in the collection of American art at the Dayton Art Institute
Dayton Art Institute
The Dayton Art Institute is a museum of fine arts in Dayton, Ohio, USA. The Dayton Art Institute was rated one of the top 10 best art museums in the United States for kids. The museum also ranks in the top 3% of all art museums in North America in 3 of 4 factors...
. The other is a smaller but much finer version cast in bronze, presently in the collection of the Krannert Art Museum
Krannert Art Museum
The Krannert Art Museum is a museum of art at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois, USA. It is the second-largest museum in Illinois, with of space devoted to all periods of art, from ancient Egyptian to contemporary photography...
on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
.
During his lifetime Taft was friendly toward many Chicago-area artists and writers, including novelist Henry Blake Fuller
Henry Blake Fuller
Henry Blake Fuller was a United States novelist and short story writer, born in Chicago, Illinois.-Career:Fuller's earliest works were travel romances set in Italy that featured allegorical characters...
, Poetry Magazine founder and editor Harriet Monroe
Harriet Monroe
Harriet Monroe was an American editor, scholar, literary critic, poet and patron of the arts. She is best known as the founding publisher and long-time editor of Poetry Magazine, which made its debut in 1912. As a supporter of the poets Ezra Pound, H. D., T. S...
, and his own brother-in-law, novelist Hamlin Garland
Hamlin Garland
Hannibal Hamlin Garland was an American novelist, poet, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for his fiction involving hard-working Midwestern farmers.- Biography :...
. Midwestern poet Jared Carter
Jared Carter
-Background:Carter studied at Yale and at Goddard College. After military service and travel abroad, he made his home in Indianapolis, where he has lived since 1969...
pays tribute to Taft's "The Solitude of the Soul" in his contemporary sonnet of the same name.