William Zorach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Zorach
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William Zorach circa 1917, photographed by Man Ray
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| Born |
Zorach Gorfinkel
February 28, 1887 Jurbarkas, Lithuania, Russian Empire
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| Died | November 15, 1966 (aged 79) Bath, Maine, U.S.
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| Known for | Sculpture, painting, printmaking |
| Elected | American Academy of Arts and Letters (1953) |
William Zorach (born February 28, 1889 – died November 15, 1966) was an American artist. He was famous for his sculptures, but he also painted, made prints, and wrote. He was one of the first American artists to use a style called Cubism in his work.
William Zorach was married to Marguerite Thompson Zorach, who was also an artist. Their daughter, Dahlov Ipcar, also became a well-known artist.
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Who Was William Zorach?
William Zorach was born Zorach Gorfinkel in 1889. He was from a Jewish family in Jurbarkas, Lithuania. At that time, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire. He was the eighth of ten children.
In 1894, when he was five years old, Zorach and his family moved to the United States. They settled in Cleveland, Ohio. There, their family name became "Finkelstein." A teacher at his school changed his first name to "William."
Early Art Training
William Zorach lived in Ohio for almost 15 years. He started learning about art when he was a teenager. He worked as an apprentice with a lithographer. A lithographer is someone who makes prints using a special stone or metal plate.
From 1905 to 1907, he studied painting at night school. This was at the Cleveland School of Art. In 1908, Zorach moved to New York City. He joined the National Academy of Design to continue his art studies.
In 1910, Zorach went to Paris, France, with another artist named Elmer Brubeck. He studied art at the La Palette art school there.
Zorach's Art Career
While in Paris, William Zorach met Marguerite Thompson. She was an American art student, born in 1887. They got married on December 24, 1912, in New York City. After they married, they both decided to use his original first name, Zorach, as their last name.
The Zorachs moved back to America. They kept trying new ways to make art. In 1913, their artwork was shown in a famous art show called the Armory Show. This was important because it introduced their art to many people, including art critics and collectors.
New Art Styles
Both William and Marguerite were greatly influenced by Cubism and Fauvism. These were new and exciting art styles from Europe. Cubism uses geometric shapes and multiple viewpoints. Fauvism uses bright, bold colors.
The Zorachs are known for being among the first artists to bring these modern European styles to American art. For the next seven years, William became known as a painter. He often showed his paintings in galleries.
While Marguerite started working with textiles, making large tapestries and rugs, William began to try sculpture. Sculpture soon became his main way of creating art.
Family Life and Art
In 1915, William and Marguerite had their first child, a son named Tessim. Their daughter, Dahlov Ipcar, was born in 1917. She also grew up to be a famous artist.
The Zorach family spent their winters in New York City. Their summers were spent in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. They spent some summers at the Cornish Art Colony in Plainfield, New Hampshire. Here, they rented a farm and made many prints showing country life. William was also part of the Provincetown Printers art group in Massachusetts.
In 1923, the Zorach family bought a farm on Georgetown Island, Maine. They lived and worked there, and also welcomed guests.
Later Life and Recognition
William Zorach was chosen to be a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1953. This is a very respected group of artists, writers, and musicians. He also received an honorary degree from Bates College in 1964.
He taught art at the Art Students League of New York for many years, from 1929 to 1960. William Zorach continued to work as an artist until he passed away in Bath, Maine, on November 15, 1966.
Where to See William Zorach's Art
William Zorach's artworks are kept in many places across the country. You can find them in private collections, company collections, and public museums. Some famous places where his art is displayed include:
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Whitney Museum
- The National Gallery of Art
- Radio City Music Hall
- The Currier Museum of Art
- The Joslyn Art Museum
- The Ogunquit Museum of American Art
His work was also part of the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics. He entered the sculpture event.
Images for kids
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Puma, in the National Gallery of Art
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Puma
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Moses
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Dimitri Mitriopoulos, International Music Competition Medal
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Brooklyn Museum - Tree - Yosemite - William Zorach - overall
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Brooklyn Museum - Skiff in Waves (recto) and Figures in Landscape (verso) - Marguerite Thompson Zorach - framed
_and_Figures_in_Landscape_(verso)_-_Marguerite_Thompson_Zorach_-_framed.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: William Zorach para niños
