David Kresz Rubins(1902–1985) was an American sculptor and professor. He taught atHerron School of Artin Indianapolis and his various works adorn the Indiana State House, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the National Archives building in Washington, D.C.[3]
David K. Rubins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1902 Minneapolis, Minnesota[1] |
| Died | 1985 New York City[2] |
| Occupation(s) | Sculptor, professor |
Biography
editPersonal life
editDavid Kresz Rubins was born in Minneapolis in 1902.[1]As a young man, he was apprenticed toJames Earle Fraser[4]before moving on to study atDartmouth Collegeand theBeaux-Arts Institute of Designin New York. He then traveled to Europe to study in Paris, where he was awarded the Paris Prize in Sculpture. He was a fellow of theAmerican Academy in Romefrom 1928 to 1931.[3]Rubins had two sons, James A. Rubins and Harry Rubins.[5]A left-wing Democrat, he was a member of theJohn Reed Cluband he once tried to create a teachers' union.[6]In Rubins' later years, illness made it difficult for him to continue to work in his studio, though he still made daily trips to the Herron School.[3]He died in New York City[2]on Wednesday, March 6, 1985, at the age of 82.[5]Soon after his death, donors began sending in checks to be used for a scholarship fund in his name.[3]
Academic career
editHe joined the faculty of the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis in 1935.[1]While there, he taught drawing, anatomy, ceramics, and sculpture[5]and he was director of the sculpture program for 45 years.[7]In 1943 he served on a jury judging an Indiana state competition wherein high school students designed posters to aid in the control of cancer[8]During his time as an academic in 1953, he authored a textbook,The Human Figure: An Anatomy for Artists,which became a standard text for art students.[1]The text was also published in Germany[3]After retiring as director of the sculpture program, he continued to work with the Herron School of Art as Sculptor in Residence at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.[6]
Published works
edit1953 –The Human Figure: An Anatomy for Artists.[1]Rubins wrote it because it was much needed in the field. It was and is still used as a text book in many schools. Rubins usedGray's Anatomyto reference thescientific namesofmuscles/anatomy.[6]
Work
editI was brought up and taught in the "old world" tradition – and so it's difficult for me to change and be a part of this new world. I have to walk in the shoes to which I am accustomed.
— David K. Rubins[3]
Sculptures
edit
Rubins worked primarily as a sculptor, and sculpture was the major thrust of his early apprenticeship under sculptor James Earle Fraser and his studies in Paris and Rome. Rubins apprenticed to Fraser for seven years and during his apprenticeship he created the drapery on Fraser's equestrian statue ofTeddy Rooseveltat theAmerican Museum of Natural Historyin New York City. He also collaborated with Fraser on sculptures outside theUnited States Supreme Court Buildingand theNational Archives building,[3]including the piece "Figure On Steps".[1]
He continued his work as a sculptor during his tenure at the Herron Art Institute and later Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. In 1944, his plaster bustPortrait of Evans Woolenswas featured in the 37th Annual Exhibition of Works by Indiana Artists. He subsequently gave it to theIndianapolis Museum of Art.[9]In 1962, he created the statue ofYoung Abe Lincolnwhich adorns the lawns at theIndiana State House.In 1964, he created thebust of former governor Henry F. Schrickerwhich resides in an alcove inside the Indiana State House. During the 1960s he also created the sculptureStumbling Manfor a state-sponsored competition to honor the memory of Indiana coal miners. In 1979 it came to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and it was formally dedicated there in 1981.[10]
Other examples of Rubins' sculpture include the cherub that would adorn the downtown Indianapolis L. S. Ayres building during the Christmas season (now located in theIndiana State Museum[7]), the Lilly Monument atCrown Hill Cemeteryin Indianapolis,[3]a number of commemorative plaques atRiley Hospital,a sculpture of Dr. Hahn that resides at theEvansville Museum of Arts, History and Science,[11] a bronze figure of a nude woman given to the IMA,[6]a marble female figure also housed at the IMA,[12] a bust of Dean John Van Nuys at the IU School of Medicine,[7]a commissioned plaque of Wilbur Peat for the IMA,[6]and the ornamental sculptures[13]over the driveway entrances of theBirch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse.[3]His work has been shown at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, theMetropolitan Museum of Artby invitation, and the National Academy of Design and Architectural League.[3]
Prints
editRubins also worked in two-dimensional art. In addition to his textbook on human anatomy, he created a poster interpreting the theme "The People Are On the March" for a national war poster competition duringWorld War II[8]and has two untitled prints at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.[14]
Awards
editIn 1924, Rubins was awarded the Paris Prize in Sculpture. In 1928,[15]he was awarded the Prix de Rome.[3]In 1943, his war poster won honorable mention in national competition.[8]He was also awarded the Grant and Sculpture Award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters.[15]In 1973, the alumni of Herron School of Art honored him with "David K. Rubins Day," including a dinner party and the announcement of two scholarships in his name. The alumni honored him again in 1978 with a special exhibition of his work.[3]In 1983 he was one of six winners of the Indiana Arts Award given by the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana Advocates for the Arts.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdefgStaff, Charles, "Indiana Arts Awards Going To Six Hoosiers", "The Indianapolis News", January 11, 1983.
- ^abSmithsonian American Art Museum,"David K. Rubins". Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ^abcdefghijklGarmel, Marion, "Sadly missed, but not soon forgotten", "The Indianapolis News", March 13, 1985.
- ^Opitz, Glenn B.,Mantle Fielding's Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers,Apollo Books, Poughkeepsie, NY, 1988
- ^abc"David K. Rubins, art teacher, dies", "The Indianapolis Star", March 8, 1985.
- ^abcdeWilliam Ashby (Director), Portrait of David Rubins (interviewed by Lois Davis), VHS, Indianapolis Art League, July 7, 1982
- ^abcIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis,"The Building Names Project"[permanent dead link].Retrieved December 20, 2010.
- ^abcAnonymous, "War and the Arts", "The Indianapolis Star", January 8, 1943.
- ^Herron School of Art,The Herron Chronicle,2003.
- ^"Three events highlight busy week at museum," "The Indianapolis Star," April 19, 1981.
- ^Smithsonian Institution."Art Institute Inventory: David Kresz Rubins (Dr. Hahn)".RetrievedDecember 14,2010.
- ^Smithsonian Institution."Art Institute Inventory: David Kresz Rubins (marble woman)".RetrievedDecember 14,2010.
- ^"The Living New Deal".n.d.RetrievedJuly 1,2019.
- ^Smithsonian American Art MuseumArchivedDecember 12, 2012, atarchive.today,collections search for "David K. Rubins". Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ^abGarmel, Marion Simon (April 12, 1978). "David Rubins".Indianapolis News.Indianapolis.