Bernard J. Rosenthal (August 9, 1914 – July 28, 2009),[1] also known as Tony Rosenthal, was an American abstract sculptor widely known for his monumental public art sculptures, created over seven decades.[2]

Tony Rosenthal
Born
Bernard Rosenthal

(1914-08-09)August 9, 1914
DiedJuly 28, 2009(2009-07-28) (aged 94)
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Known forAmerican abstract sculptor.
MovementPublic art sculptor
Tony Rosenthal's Alamo

Biography

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Rosenthal was born August 9, 1914, in Highland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.[3][4] He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Michigan in 1936 and later studied at The Cranbrook Academy of Art under Carl Milles.[5][1]

Career

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Rosenthal received his first public art commission when he created A Nubian Slave for the Elgin Watch Company building at the 1939 World's Fair.[6]

Although Rosenthal's public art included five works in Manhattan, and numerous similar works in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Florida, Michigan, Connecticut, the artist remained elusive. In The New York Times, art dealer Joseph K. Levene said of Rosenthal: "He reminds me of a character actor. You know the face but not the name. With him, you know the art". By the time of his death at 94, he had not had a retrospective of his work.[6]

Rosenthal's works are owned by museums around the world, including: Chrysler Museum: Big Six, 1977; Connecticut College: Memorial Cube, 1972; Israel Museum: Oracle, 1960; Long House Reserve: Mandala, 1994–95, Rites of Spring", 1997; Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Things Invisible to See, 1960, Harp Player, 1950; Guild Hall of East Hampton: "Cube 72", 1972; Milwaukee Art Museum: Big Six, 1977, Maquette for Hammarskjold, 1977; National Gallery of Art: Magpole,1965; San Diego Museum of Art: Odyssey, 1974; Risd Museum: Cumuli III, 1965.[7]

 
Tony Rosenthal ’’5 in 1’’, 1973-74 at One Police Plaza
©Estate of Tony Rosenthal[8] / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Public art

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Tony Rosenthal was best known for his large outdoor geometric abstract sculptures. Rosenthal's public work includes:

 
Photograph of art collector Martin Margulies with Tony Rosenthal ’’T-Square’’ (1978) at Grove Isle, Miami, Florida © Estate of Tony Rosenthal / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

References

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  1. ^ a b Grimes, William, Tony Rosenthal, Sculptor of Public Art, Dies at 94, New York Times, July 31, 2009.
  2. ^ "Tony Rosenthal Biography | Sculptor | Public Art Legend". www.tonyrosenthal.com. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  3. ^ Tony Rosenthal (New York, NY : Rizzoli, 2000.) ISBN 0-8478-2316-4 pp. 58-67
  4. ^ American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s An Illustrated Survey, (New York School Press, 2003.) ISBN 0-9677994-1-4. p.293
  5. ^ a b "The Cube "Endover" | Arts & Culture".
  6. ^ a b Grimes, William (2009-07-31). "Tony Rosenthal, Sculptor of Public Art, Dies at 94 (Published 2009)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
  7. ^ "Cumuli III | RISD Museum". risdmuseum.org. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  8. ^ "Tony Rosenthal | Copyright | VAGA". www.tonyrosenthal.com. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  9. ^ Pacheco, Antonio (2018-08-10). "Former LAPD headquarters to be demolished after years of controversy". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  10. ^ "Empire State Plaza Art Collection".
  11. ^ Tony Rosenthal (New York, NY : Rizzoli, 2000.) ISBN 0-8478-2316-4 p.6
  12. ^ American Abstract Expressionism of the 1950s An Illustrated Survey, (New York School Press, 2003.) ISBN 0-9677994-1-4. p.290
  13. ^ "On-Site Sculpture: On View: Indiana University Art Museum: Indiana University Bloomington". artmuseum.indiana.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18.
  14. ^ Simmons, Jamilah (December 19, 2018). "The New Art on Campus". Brooklyn College. City University of New York.

Further reading

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