John Frazee | |
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Born | Rahway, New Jersey, U.S. | July 18, 1790
Died | February 24, 1852 | (aged 61)
Known for | sculpture, architecture |
Notable work |
John Frazee (July 18, 1790 – February 24, 1852) was an American sculptor and architect.[1][2][3] The Smithsonian has a collection of many of his sculptures as well as paintings of Frazee by other artists including Asher B. Durand and Henry Colton Shumway.[4]
He was born in Rahway, New Jersey, and worked in the Neo-Classic tradition. He is known as being one of the first successful native born American sculptors and "the first American born sculptor to execute a bust in marble".[5] He is best known for his portrait busts, including of John Jay and Marquis De Lafayette. He carved sculptures for the Boston Athenaeum including of Chief Justice John Marshall and Daniel Webster.[6] He also received a commission to design the New York Customs House, later used as Federal Hall National Memorial.[6]
The sculptor Thomas Crawford began his career as a marble carver in Frazee's studio in New York City.[7]
In 1826, he helped found the National Academy of Design. [citation needed]