Louis Linck
Encyclopedia
Louis Linck was born in Paris, and emigrated to the United States in 1926. During his lifetime of sculpting he worked for a number of private clients as well as the WPA (during the Depression), and the International College of Surgeons. His most accessible work is a number of larger-than-life statues permanently on display at the International Museum of Surgical Science
in Chicago.
) of northern Paris. His father was an accountant, and although Louis also had a knack for math, he preferred art (much to his father's dismay). He had two sisters, although one died in childhood, and his mother died when he was 18. He had just graduated with a degree in Engineering, but like most men of his generation, he soon joined the French Army
at the outbreak of World War I. His artistic skills, however, put him in the map-making
department, which may have helped him survive.
, Nov 11, 1918, in a small French town near the Belgian border, as the Germans were retreating from France. They were married in 1920, and continued to live with Louis's father in Paris. They had two daughters, both born prior to their emigration to the U.S.
for the Northwestern Terra Cota Company. (At the time, the style of many of the new buildings there included sculptures, bas-reliefs, etc.) Louis was one of the winners, so he, his wife, and their youngest daughter left for Chicago
. After living there several months, they decided to stay, and sent for their older daughter to join them.
Around 1930, Northwestern laid off most of their workers, a result of the Great Depression
. Fortunately, Rose had a job, so Louis was able to continue his art work in spite of the lack of paying work. Later in the 1930s, Louis worked for the Illinois Art Project, or IAP, which was a state program funded by the WPA
's Federal Art Project
. At least two pieces he did for the IAP were later donated to the Smithsonian
by Louis Chester; one of these is currently (2007) on display.
From 1953 to 1954, he worked on a number of larger-than-life-size sculpted figures for the International College of Surgeons, now known as the International Museum of Surgical Science
, located on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago
. These are still on permanent display in their "Hall of Immortals", and include statues of Marie Curie
, Andreas Vesalius, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
, Ambroise Paré
, Joseph Lister
, and Hippocrates
. His good friend and colleague, Edouard Chassaing, did a number of the other statues in this display.
His daughter reports that he was somewhat well known for his 3/4-profile bas-relief plaques, which he did of Douglas MacArthur
, Charles de Gaulle
, and other individuals.
1524 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60610
Marie Curie
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
Ambroise Paré
Andreas Vesalius
Hippocrates
Joseph Lister
Asklepios
"The Angel (Bust of Maurice Tillet
)", 1950
Polo Players
ca. 1935–1940
plaster
2 men with 2 horses
5½ × 5⅝ × 3⅞ in. (14.0 × 14.4 × 10.0 cm)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Gift of Louis Cheskin
1977.42.5
On view at:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
4th floor, Luce Foundation Center, Case 48A
Reclining Nude Figure
1930–1940
painted plaster
female full-length nude
4½ × 6⅝ × 9⅞ in. (11.4 × 16.7 × 25.0 cm)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Gift of Louis Cheskin
1977.42.6
Not currently on view
International Museum of Surgical Science
The International Museum of Surgical Science is a museum located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is operated by the and features exhibits dealing with various aspects of Eastern and Western medicine. It was founded by Dr. Max Thorek in 1954.- External links :*...
in Chicago.
Early life
Louis grew up in the 18th district (ArrondissementArrondissements of Paris
The city of Paris is divided into twenty arrondissements municipaux administrative districts, more simply referred to as arrondissements . These are not to be confused with departmental arrondissements, which subdivide the 101 French départements...
) of northern Paris. His father was an accountant, and although Louis also had a knack for math, he preferred art (much to his father's dismay). He had two sisters, although one died in childhood, and his mother died when he was 18. He had just graduated with a degree in Engineering, but like most men of his generation, he soon joined the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
at the outbreak of World War I. His artistic skills, however, put him in the map-making
Cartography
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. Combining science, aesthetics, and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality can be modeled in ways that communicate spatial information effectively.The fundamental problems of traditional cartography are to:*Set the map's...
department, which may have helped him survive.
Marriage and children
He met his future bride, Rose, on Armistice DayArmistice Day
Armistice Day is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day...
, Nov 11, 1918, in a small French town near the Belgian border, as the Germans were retreating from France. They were married in 1920, and continued to live with Louis's father in Paris. They had two daughters, both born prior to their emigration to the U.S.
- Lucienne (1921 – ) born in Mohon, France.
- Georgette (1925 – 2003 ) born in Paris, France.
Career
In 1926 Linck entered a contest in France for sculptors. The 12 winners would get a 1-year contract to work in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
for the Northwestern Terra Cota Company. (At the time, the style of many of the new buildings there included sculptures, bas-reliefs, etc.) Louis was one of the winners, so he, his wife, and their youngest daughter left for Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. After living there several months, they decided to stay, and sent for their older daughter to join them.
Around 1930, Northwestern laid off most of their workers, a result of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Fortunately, Rose had a job, so Louis was able to continue his art work in spite of the lack of paying work. Later in the 1930s, Louis worked for the Illinois Art Project, or IAP, which was a state program funded by the WPA
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
's Federal Art Project
Federal Art Project
The Federal Art Project was the visual arts arm of the Great Depression-era New Deal Works Progress Administration Federal One program in the United States. It operated from August 29, 1935, until June 30, 1943. Reputed to have created more than 200,000 separate works, FAP artists created...
. At least two pieces he did for the IAP were later donated to the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
by Louis Chester; one of these is currently (2007) on display.
From 1953 to 1954, he worked on a number of larger-than-life-size sculpted figures for the International College of Surgeons, now known as the International Museum of Surgical Science
International Museum of Surgical Science
The International Museum of Surgical Science is a museum located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is operated by the and features exhibits dealing with various aspects of Eastern and Western medicine. It was founded by Dr. Max Thorek in 1954.- External links :*...
, located on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. These are still on permanent display in their "Hall of Immortals", and include statues of Marie Curie
Marie Curie
Marie Skłodowska-Curie was a physicist and chemist famous for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first person honored with two Nobel Prizes—in physics and chemistry...
, Andreas Vesalius, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was a German physicist, who, on 8 November 1895, produced and detected electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range today known as X-rays or Röntgen rays, an achievement that earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901....
, Ambroise Paré
Ambroise Paré
Ambroise Paré was a French surgeon. He was the great official royal surgeon for kings Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III and is considered as one of the fathers of surgery and modern forensic pathology. He was a leader in surgical techniques and battlefield medicine, especially the...
, Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister OM, FRS, PC , known as Sir Joseph Lister, Bt., between 1883 and 1897, was a British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, who promoted the idea of sterile surgery while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary...
, and Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
. His good friend and colleague, Edouard Chassaing, did a number of the other statues in this display.
His daughter reports that he was somewhat well known for his 3/4-profile bas-relief plaques, which he did of Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
, Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
, and other individuals.
Works
International Museum of Surgical Science1524 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60610
- Statues:
Marie Curie
Marie Curie
Marie Skłodowska-Curie was a physicist and chemist famous for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first person honored with two Nobel Prizes—in physics and chemistry...
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was a German physicist, who, on 8 November 1895, produced and detected electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range today known as X-rays or Röntgen rays, an achievement that earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901....
Ambroise Paré
Ambroise Paré
Ambroise Paré was a French surgeon. He was the great official royal surgeon for kings Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III and is considered as one of the fathers of surgery and modern forensic pathology. He was a leader in surgical techniques and battlefield medicine, especially the...
Andreas Vesalius
Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister may refer to:*Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister , English surgeon, discovered that cleaning and disinfecting surgical wounds, and bandages, with carbolic acid prevents lethal infections...
Asklepios
- bust:
"The Angel (Bust of Maurice Tillet
Maurice Tillet
Maurice Tillet was a French professional wrestler known as The French Angel who was a leading box office draw in the early 1940s and was recognized as world heavyweight champion by the American Wrestling Association run by Paul Bowser in Boston...
)", 1950
Polo Players
ca. 1935–1940
plaster
2 men with 2 horses
5½ × 5⅝ × 3⅞ in. (14.0 × 14.4 × 10.0 cm)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Gift of Louis Cheskin
1977.42.5
On view at:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a museum in Washington, D.C. with an extensive collection of American art.Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum has a broad variety of American art that covers all regions and art movements found in the United States...
4th floor, Luce Foundation Center, Case 48A
Reclining Nude Figure
1930–1940
painted plaster
female full-length nude
4½ × 6⅝ × 9⅞ in. (11.4 × 16.7 × 25.0 cm)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a museum in Washington, D.C. with an extensive collection of American art.Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum has a broad variety of American art that covers all regions and art movements found in the United States...
Gift of Louis Cheskin
1977.42.6
Not currently on view
See also
- International Museum of Surgical ScienceInternational Museum of Surgical ScienceThe International Museum of Surgical Science is a museum located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is operated by the and features exhibits dealing with various aspects of Eastern and Western medicine. It was founded by Dr. Max Thorek in 1954.- External links :*...
- Federal Art ProjectFederal Art ProjectThe Federal Art Project was the visual arts arm of the Great Depression-era New Deal Works Progress Administration Federal One program in the United States. It operated from August 29, 1935, until June 30, 1943. Reputed to have created more than 200,000 separate works, FAP artists created...
- List of WPA artists
- Works Progress AdministrationWorks Progress AdministrationThe Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...