LEGACY

content-imgArthur Lee

May 4, 1881–1961

Arthur Lee was a sculptor who worked in Paris before coming to the United States. He exhibitied at the famous Armory Show in New York in 1913. He is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum, amongst many other institutions.

ARTHUR LEE TIMELINE

May 4, 1881:

Born to Knute Sivert Hoel and Mette Haugan in Trondjhem, Norway. One of nine children. (Family changed surname to Lee when they emigrated to US.)

1889:

Emigrates with family to St. Paul, Minnesota

1893-1896:

At the age of twelve years old, he discovers his great interest in art and the study of the human form. At the age fifteen, reads Bulfinchs Age of Fables which focuses his direction to art.

1901:

With $45 US in his pocket, he moves to New York City to study at the famed Art Student’s League.

1901-1905:

Studied at the Art Student’s League. Met Rawlines Lowdes Cottenent in Gertrude Vanderbilt’s studio on Macdougal Alley, through the introduction of the sculptor, James Earle Fraser.

1905-1909

Gertrude Vanderbilt sponsored Arthur Lee to go to Paris to study at Academie Des Beaux Arts.

Studied under Kenyon Cox and George B. Bridgman.

1911:

Married Frederika (“Freddy”) Doehle (her parents were Diedrich and Elizabeth Doehle.)

1912

Produced his first sculpture, “The Ethiopian”.

1913:

Exhibited drawings and sculptures at the 1913 Armory Arts Show in New York City.  Sculptures exhibited included “The Ethiopian”, “The Virgin”, “Aphrodite” and “Hercules”.

1914-1917:

Returns to Europe with the financial sponsorship assistance of Mrs. Florence Jaffrey Harriman (US Ambassador to Norway 1937-1940).

Produces the sculptures of “Volupte”, “Dawn”, “Belgian Soldier”, and “Torso of Youth”.

Lives in Paris, and travels throughout Europe during this time.

1916:

Earns Gold Medal in San Francisco.

1918:

Returns to US and settles with his wife in NYC, in an apartment on Macdougal Street.

1919:

Arthur and Freddy welcome their first child, a daughter, Ingaboyd Lee. Produces the sculpture of “Torso of Atlas” in Pentelic marble.

1924:

Is recognized as the recipient of the Widener Gold Medal at the Philadelphia, for his sculpture, “Volupté”.

1925:

Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt purchased a “Volupté” for $3,000.  She later donates this piece to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it was displayed in the Sculpture Garden.

1928:

Arthur and Freddy welcome their son, Knute Diedrich Lee.

Wins $500 award for sculpture, “Rhythm”, at the Philadelphia.

1930:

Received Guggenheim Fellowship.

1937:

Received Saltus Gold Medal for Merit in New York for “Great Fortune”.