Laura Gardin Fraser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Gardin Fraser
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| Born | September 14, 1889 |
| Died | August 13, 1966 (aged 76) |
| Education | Columbia University |
Laura Gardin Fraser (born September 14, 1889 – died August 13, 1966) was a talented American sculptor. A sculptor is an artist who creates figures or designs by carving, molding, or joining materials. She was married to another famous sculptor, James Earle Fraser.
Laura Gardin learned from James Earle Fraser at the Art Students League of New York from 1910 to 1912. She designed many U.S. coins, sometimes by herself and sometimes with her husband. Some of her notable coin designs include the 1921 Alabama Centennial half dollar, the 1922 Grant Memorial half dollar, the 1925 Fort Vancouver Centennial half dollar, and the 1926 Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar.
In 1931, Laura won a contest to design a new quarter coin. Her design featured George Washington on the front, also known as the obverse side. However, the Treasury Secretary at the time, Andrew Mellon, chose a different design by John Flanagan. Laura Fraser's design was later used for a special five-dollar gold piece in 1999. This type of coin is called a commemorative coin because it's made to celebrate something special. From 2022 to 2025, her design is being used again for the American Women quarters series, which honors important American women. In 1924, she became an Associate member of the National Academy of Design, and a full member in 1931.
Laura Gardin Fraser is buried next to her husband in Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport, Connecticut.
Early Life of Laura Gardin Fraser
Laura Gardin was born on September 14, 1889. Her parents were John Emil and Alice Tilton Gardin. Her mother was also a well-known artist. Laura was born in Morton Park, which was a suburb of Chicago at the time. She went to elementary school in Morton Park. Later, Laura attended schools in Rye, New York, and then Wadleigh and the Horace Mann School in New York City. She finished high school in 1907.
From a young age, Laura showed a natural talent for making figures and working with clay. Her mother helped her develop these skills. After high school, Laura briefly studied at Columbia University. Then, she enrolled at the Art Students' League. It was during her time at the League that she met and studied with James Earle Fraser, who would later become her husband.
Laura Gardin Fraser's Career Highlights
Laura Gardin Fraser is mostly known for her coin and medal designs. However, she also won important projects for large sculptures. One of her most famous works was winning a competition in 1936. She designed a large statue of two generals on horseback, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, for Baltimore. Six famous American sculptors were invited to submit designs for this project. Laura Fraser was the only woman sculptor asked to join the competition.
Her artwork was also part of the art competitions at the 1928 Summer Olympics and the 1932 Summer Olympics.
In 2016, a group in Baltimore suggested that the statue of Jackson and Lee should be moved. They also suggested moving a statue of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. The group recommended that the Jackson and Lee sculpture be offered to the U.S. Park Service. They thought it could be placed in Chancellorsville, Virginia. The two generals had met there shortly before the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. The city of Baltimore removed the sculpture early on August 16, 2017. This happened after events in Charlottesville, Virginia, a few days before. The city is still deciding where the sculpture will go next.
See also
In Spanish: Laura Gardin Fraser para niños
