WELCOME to the “Hermon A. MacNeil” — Virtual Gallery & Museum !

~ This Gallery celebrates Hermon Atkins MacNeil,  of the Beaux Arts School American classic sculptor of Native images and American history.  ~ World’s Fairs, statues, monuments, coins, and more… ~ Hot-links ( lower right) lead to works by Hermon A. MacNeil.   ~ Over 200 of stories & 2,000 photos form this virtual MacNeil Gallery stretching east to west  New York to New Mexico ~ Oregon to S. Carolina.   ~ 2021 marks the 155th Anniversary of Hermon MacNeil’s birth. ~~Do you WALK or DRIVE by MacNeil sculptures DAILY!   ~~ CHECK it OUT!

DO YOU walk by MacNeil Statues and NOT KNOW IT ???

  READ  our  review  HERE   of:

Jim Haas’ BOOK~ Hermon Atkins MacNeil: American Sculptor  In the Broad, Bright Daylight    

   CLICK HERE to purchase (Amazon Books):

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 CLICK HERE to purchase a MacNeil Medallion of

the Standing Liberty Quarter on eBay  photos  →  →

 

Our post of March 9, 2023 shared Dr. Andrew Walker’s  praise for Jim Haas’ recent Bio of Hermon  MacNeil 

Walker, since 2011 has been has been Director at the Amon Carter Museum of Fort Worth, Texas.

His knowledge of MacNeil is evident in the volume “Shaping the West.”   MacNeil’s sculpture of the ‘Sun Vow’ graces its cover (see photo above).  Published by the Denver Art Museum, Walker contributed the essay  entitled: “Hermon Atkins MacNeil and the 1904 World’s Fair: A Monumental Program for the American West.”  Praise from Andrew Walker constitutes worthy acclaim.

It is all in the faces – the ideals passed to a new generation.

While highlighting the work of Hermon Atkins MacNeil, Dr. Walker illustrates how the 1904 World’s Fair in St Louis included a monumental sculpture initiative.  He does this with narrative and photo description of the major sculptures that formed the grounds, fountains, waterfalls and buildings of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Saint Louis. The current St. Louis Art Museum (where Walker was previously a curator) was the “Palace of Fine Arts” conceived by Cass Gilbert,  architect of the fair grounds (and later the US Supreme Court Building).  Over a century later, MacNeil’s three sculpture relief panels still look down from their vantage point above the three sets of doors at the main entrance.

The ‘Sun Vow’ at the MMA – NYC – with Daniel Chester French’s “Angel of Death” in relief in background (See also Webmaster’s <= Comment at left. The ‘Sun Vow’ at the MMA – NYC – with Daniel Chester French’s “Angel of Death” in relief in background (See also Webmaster’s <= Comment at left.

The more I study this sculpture (as other MacNeil pieces?) the more new details I find in MacNeil’s creations.

The photo at right shows MacNeil’s Sun Vow with Daniel Chester French’s “Angel of Death” in the background. French and MacNeil were colleagues and collaborators. The Angel of Death has grasped the hand of the sculptor. 

[See more of this Daniel Chester French sculpture, CLICK HERE.]

Webmaster’s Comment: The beauty and ‘irony’ of the two sculptures together, long after the death of the two sculptors and the vanishing of the culture of the Sun Vow that MacNeil has memorialized, are a compounded and profound statement of the power of art and artists.

 

SOURCES:

  1. SHAPING THE WEST : American Sculptors of the 19th Century. With additional  essays by Alice Levi Duncan, Thayer. Tolles, Peter Hassrick, Sarah E. Boehme, and Andrew Walker.

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James E. Haas,  recent biographer of Hermon MacNeil, is a “fifth generation College Pointer.”
 

About the Author

James E. Haas is a fifth generation College Pointer and a graduate of St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY. He has written ten books, three on subjects related to the history of College Point. With a Masters Degree in Religious Education, Haas has written widely on church-related subjects, liturgy and prayer with and for children as well as religious education.
 

  

The biography has received glowing comments such as these from Andrew Walker:

 
James E. Haas tells a compelling story of a sculptor who made a tremendous, but underappreciated impact on the American cultural scene during his lifetime.
 
The level of research is clearly a compassionate focus in a conventional biographical approach.  MacNeil is not a Rodin or a Picasso where drama dictates his biography.  Rather, his story reaches heights of dramatic impact in those decisions and efforts that charted the nations priorities and challenges. 
 
At times, this dramatic arc of MacNeil’s artistic activity is deeply connected to broader social and cultural life during times of change.  MacNeil’s life after his experiences in the early 20th century continued as an expected life of a committed artist, and this biography does justice to his contributions, and his artistic achievement.
     Andrew Walker — Director, Amon Carter Museum of American Art. — Fort Worth, TX
 
This volume on Hermon MacNeil is the 5th history Haas’ has authored about College Point. it any surprise that he has published 5 books of
 
All of his works have accomplished the following:
  • focused on the history of College Point, Queens, New York City;
  • documented the lives of the heroes who lived there.
Here are 5 available titles:
 
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This title has been released -Nov 2022.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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“HAPPY BIRTHDAY

UNCLE HERMON”

HE WAS BORN 157 YEARS AGO TODAY

FEBRUARY 27TH, 1866

Hermon Atkins MacNeil (American, 1866-1947) CAROL BROOKS MACNEIL, N.D. Bronzed plaster 14 1/2″ x 8″ x 7 1/2″ Signed: H. A. MACNEIL. Photo by JOEL ROSENKRANZ 1986 (#5430)

THIS UNDATED CLAY PORTRAIT BUST OF

“CARRIE” BY HERMON

“Brooks-by-MacNeil” Portrait

closes Brooks~MacNeil Month ~~ on Feb. 27, 2023

Thanks, Joel Rosenkranz

This photo was included in an email to Jim Haas, MacNeil biographer, and myself from Joel Rosenkranz.

Hi Jim & Dan:

The upcoming exhibition on A.F Brooks in Kenilworth prompted me to go through photos I took in 1986 when I first visited descendants and purchased a variety of work including this portrait of Carol Brooks by Hermon.

It is plaster with a colored bronze surface.

I sold it in 1987 and have no idea where it is now but at least there is this record.

Best, Joel 

 

So on this the 157th Anniversary of Hermon MacNeil’s birth, this portrait seems an appropriate “Last Look” for our Brooks~MacNeil Month of 2023. 

Sculpted in clay, finished with bronze patina, the piece radiates a lot of love and care.  Bearing no date by Hermon clay-portrait Bust of Carol (Carrie) Brooks MacNeil 

NO DATE?  Made by her husband, Hermon MacNeil at an unknown date. 

WHAT Features might date it?

  • it appears to be a “young Carrie” Possibly, dating to her early days before marriage? 
  • clay, but finished lovingly in a bronze  patina;
  • but never cast in bronze, which is an expensive process.
  • seems to come from a period of a young sculptor, with more talent and more love than cash.
  • preserved in unknown hands for 80+ years
  • photographed and purchased by Joel Rosenkranz in 1986
  • then sold in 1987
  • NOW IN A PRIVATE COLLECTION, SOME WHERE, but
  • HERE on //HermonAtkinsMacNeil.com FOR ALL TO ENJOY

ALL Offered to you NOW as a  celebration of Carol “CARRIE” Brooks MacNeil.

AS OUR FINALE TO THIS

“2023 MACNEIL-BROOKS MONTH” 

 

On the 157th Anniversary of

“Uncle Hermon MacNeil’s birth

February 27th, 1866.

 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Appeal: 

If you have any history or insight about this piece

by Hermon MacNeil, PLEASE COMMENT HERE

or email us at HAMacNeil@gmail.com

Related posts:

  1. The Portrait “BUST” of HERMON A. MacNEIL ~ by Jo Davidson ~ Unveiled for MacNeil Month 2021 ~#5 (7) AT  LAST, the UNVEILING of the 75-YEAR-OLD PORTRAIT BUST OF…
  2. “Sun Vow” Video Starts MacNeil Month 2015 (6) Here at the HermonAtkinsMacNeil.com website we celebrate every February as…
  3. 153rd Anniversary of the Birth of Hermon Atkins MacNeil ~ American Sculptor ~ Feb 27, 1866 (6) I never met Hermon MacNeil. I never met my maternal…
  4. February 27, 2021 – We”ll Unveil the Newly Discovered Portrait Bust of Hermon A. MacNeil by Jo Davidson on Hermon’s Birthday (6) ~~ MacNeil Month – February 27, 2021 ~~ FIFTH Story…
  5. 2023 “MacNeil~Brooks” Month ~~ Post #1 (6)  ‘MacNeil Month’ becomes ‘MacNeil~Brooks Month’ in 2023 Each February is…
  6. MacNeil Month ~~ February 2016 ~~ 150 Years (5) The year 2016 marks the sesquicentennial of the birth of…

#1. A “Tortoise and Hare” are hiding at the Supreme Court

That’s no FABLE! 

They’ve been there for 91 years. Hiding on back of the building.

Can you see them there?

The ‘Hare’ of Aesop’s fable as to ‘Slow but Steady’ Justice.

The ‘Tortoise’ of Aesop’s fable as MacNeil’s Finale of Justice.

Maybe this

HELPS?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Plus #2 the 

‘Supreme Secret’

from the MacNeil Family

Guess, WHO SCULPTED the Tortoise and the Hare on the East Pediment?”

NOW, just this week,

Carolyn Saul (‘Carrie’ MacNeil’s  grand niece)

shared a MacNeil family story, 3 generations old. 

“I was always told that

Hermon let one of his sons

design the tortoise and the hare. 

Have you heard that?

[Yes,  I heard  that “tender tidbit” that  years ago

but it never became a story on this site.]

WHICH son, Claude or Alden, this strain of MacNeil Lore does not say.  Claude worked in aviationAlden was an architect, who formally studied art at Fountainbleu.

The brothers are described in the March 1928 Obituary of their younger sister Joie Katherine MacNeil as follows:

She leaves behind her parents, two brothers, Alden a recent graduate of Cornell University and now a student in the famous Fountainbleu art school, and Claude, an aviator and mechanical engineer on the staff of the Sikorsky Aircraft Manufacturing Company at College Point.  Source: The Daily Star, Queens Borough, Tuesday Evening, March 20, 1928. Page 4, column 7.

Alden seems the more probable

of Hermon’s sons to assist in the 1932

rendering of the East Pediment pair

of the Tortoise and Hare.

NOW, Carolyn’s comment validates that idea from

MacNeil-family-lore

through three generations.

~ ~ ~ ~

The MacNeil’s SUPREME COURT statues

JUSTICE THE GUARDIAN OF LIBERTY”

Are the most viewed pages on this website.

Here’s just two days of page views to sample from MacNeil Month:

 

Page Titles viewed on Feb. 10, 2023
  Views
1. Hermon MacNeil’s Supreme Court Sculptures: ~ ~ ~ Moses Revisited ~ ~ ~   6
2. Home page / Archives   5
3. Moses, Confucius, and Solon at Supreme Court

TOTALS:

  2

13

 

 
“SLOW BUT STEADY”
 
Justice WINS the RACE
 
Thanks, Uncle Hermon
 
 

Hermon MacNeil’s 3 Sculptures

for Presidents Day

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presidents Day honors the February birthdays of

George Washington (Feb 22nd) and

Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12th)

Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday, in the United States

(third Monday in February)

popularly recognized as honoring

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

The day is sometimes understood as a celebration of the

birthdays and lives of all U.S. presidents.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ 

View MacNeil’s Presidents yourself > > > >

George WashingtonPostings of MacNeil’s

George Washington as Commander-in-Chief

CLICK HERE 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Abraham Lincoln  –   Postings of MacNeil’s

Abraham LincolnPrairie Lawyer

CLICK HERE

 

William McKinley – Postings of MacNeil’s

William McKinkey

CLICK HERE

 

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY 2023

Related posts:

  1. ~ ~ ~ MacNeil’s SCULPTURES of PRESIDENTS ~ ~ ~ An Inauguration Day Reflection. (6) On this Presidential Inaugural Day, the 57th in our history,…
  2. Presidents Day 2020 ~~ MacNeil Month ~~ Wm. McKinley ~~ Abe Lincoln ~~ Geo. Washington ~~ “THEY ARE ALL THERE” — H.A MacNeil’s Sculptures of 3 Presidents ~~ (5)  “They are still there” celebrates several re-visits and discoveries of…
  3. Happy Birthday Mr. Washington! ~ Part TWO ~ MacNeil Month #6 ~ The President Who would NOT be King. (4) NOTE: February 22nd marks the 279th Birthday of George Washington….
  4. INDEPENDENCE DAY Images ~ from Hermon A. MacNeil (4) Here are a few images of  Independence from Hermon Atkins…
  5. Hermon Atkins MacNeil to be featured in “The Galley” (4) Hermon MacNeil was the first president of the Clan MacNeil…
  6. 153rd Anniversary of the Birth of Hermon Atkins MacNeil ~ American Sculptor ~ Feb 27, 1866 (4) I never met Hermon MacNeil. I never met my maternal…
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BACK ROW (lt. to rt.) George Maher, Elizabeth Brooks Maher (I always called her Aunt Bess. I was 16 when she died.), Carrie, Arthur Wyld (my grandfather) and Hermon. On the front row, Frances Brooks Wyld (my grandmother), Ellen Woodworth Brooks (my great grandmother) and Alden Finney Brooks (my great grandfather).

After contacting

Carolyn Saul,

I sent her a  family photo

of MacNeil-Brooks faces

that I thought

she could recognize.

~ ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~

and sure enough  here’s what she said …

In the back row (left to right) Carolyn named her relatives :

  1. George Maher and
  2. Elizabeth Brooks Maher (Carolyn’s Aunt Bess)
  3. Carol Brooks MacNeil (Carolyn’s Great Aunt ‘Carrie’)
  4. Arthur Wyld (Carolyn’s grandfather)
  5. Hermon MacNeil (Carolyn’s great uncle by marriage)

Seated in the front row:

  1. Frances Brooks Wyld (Carolyn’s grandmother),
  2. Ellen Woodworth Brooks (Carolyn’s great grandmother) and
  3. Alden Finney Brooks (Carolyn’s great grandfather)

CAROLYN CONTINUED WITH:

Thanks for the photo, too.  You probably already know, but the people in the area photo are George Maher, Elizabeth Brooks Maher (I always called her Aunt Bess.  I was 16 when she died.), Carrie, Arthur Wyld (my grandfather) and Hermon. On the front row, Frances Brooks Wyld (my grandmother), Ellen Woodworth Brooks (my great grandmother) and Alden Finney Brooks (my great grandfather).
 
I received the last medallion, thank you! I loved The Galley issue you sent.  I appreciate you including it.  You have a long way to drive from South Dakota to Virginia!  I would love to meet you the next time you come through this way. 
 
HERE’S THE LINK TO THAT
 
CLAN MACNEIL
 
“GALLEY” ISSUE
 
SHE LOVED

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  3. February is “MacNeil Month” (2) One month from today, February 27, 2011 will mark the…
  4. “Sun Vow” at Reading Public Museum (2)   We were recently contacted by John Graydon Smith, CEO…
  5. The MacNeil’s Chicago Wedding – Christmas Day 1895 (2) I sit here in Chicago during this Christmas Season, imagining…
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WHAT YOU FIND HERE.

Here is ONE place to go to see sculpture of Hermon A. MacNeil & his students. Located in cities from east to west coast, found indoors and out, public and private, these creations point us toward the history and values that root Americans.

Daniel Neil Leininger ~ HAMacNeil@gmail.com
Hosting & Tech Support: Leiturgia Communications, Inc.           WATCH US GROW

WE DESIRE YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS – Suggestions

1. Take digital photos of the work from all angles, including setting.
2. Take close up photos of details that you like
3. Look for MacNeil’s signature. Photograph it too! See examples above.
4. Please, include a photo of you & others beside the work.
5. Tell your story of adventure. It adds personal interest.
6. Send photos to ~ Webmaster at: HAMacNeil@gmail.com