The Art of the Woman explores the life of German-born Elisabet Ney; a flamboyant sculptor who transfixed the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and left the court of the half-mad Ludwig of Bavaria to put down new roots in Texas. Born in 1833; Ney gained notoriety in Europe by sculpting the busts of such figures as Ludwig II; Schopenhauer; Garibaldi; and Bismarck. In 1871 she abruptly emigrated to America and became something of a recluse until resuming her sculpting career two decades later. In Texas; she was known for stormy relationships with officials; patrons; and womenrsquo;s organizations. Her works included sculptures of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin and are exhibited in the state and US capitols as well as the Smithsonian. Emily Fourmy Cutrerrsquo;s biography of Ney makes extensive use of primary sources and was the first to appraise both Neyrsquo;s legend and individual works of art. Cutrer argues that Ney was an accomplished sculptor coming out of a neglected German neoclassical tradition and that; whatever her failures and eccentricities; she was an important catalyst to cultural activity in Texas.
2016-04-28 2016-04-28File Name: B01EYBR49A
Review
