William Rimmer: Champion of Imagination in American Art - cover image

Copyright

Dorinda Evans

Published On

2022-12-05

ISBN

Paperback978-1-80064-756-5
Hardback978-1-80064-757-2
PDF978-1-80064-758-9
HTML978-1-80064-762-6
XML978-1-80064-761-9
EPUB978-1-80064-759-6
AZW3978-1-80064-760-2

Language

  • English

Print Length

250 pages (x+240)

Dimensions

Paperback216 x 17 x 280 mm(8.5" x 0.67" x 11.02")
Hardback216 x 20 x 280 mm(8.5" x 0.79" x 11.02")

Weight

Paperback765g (26.98oz)
Hardback1073g (37.85oz)

Media

Illustrations145

LCCN

2021385904

BIC

  • ABA
  • AFC
  • AG
  • ACV
  • AFKB
  • MFC
  • HBTB
  • JFC

BISAC

  • ART015020
  • ART026000
  • ART015100
  • ART016000
  • SCI056000

LCC

  • NB237.R6

Keywords

  • William Rimmer
  • modernist sculptor
  • American sculptor
  • physician
  • teacher of art anatomy
  • Cooper Union School of Design for Women

William Rimmer

Champion of Imagination in American Art

  • Dorinda Evans (author)
William Rimmer (1816–1879) is arguably the first modernist American sculptor, although his inventive originality has not been fully acknowledged. Rimmer cultivated an art of ideas and personal expression whilst supporting himself as a physician and, later, as a teacher of art anatomy at the Cooper Union School of Design for Women in New York.

Unlike his contemporaries, he advocated the creation of sculpture drawn entirely from the artist’s imagination, as opposed to antique archetypes or live models. In this way, he sought to reframe excellence in American art as something that must be found within, rather than derived from Europe.

In this new monograph, the meaning of Rimmer’s works is for the first time considered from a combination of perspectives, such as close visual analysis (including X-ray and infrared), historical documentation, and social context. These are enriched with discussion of the artist’s own bipolar disorder, deeply-held spiritualism, and views on gender equality—considering women just as talented as men, he used naked male models in all-female classes long before his contemporaries, and produced an allegorical sculpture of fighting lions that criticized the tyranny of men over women.

This book will be of great interest to academics, students, art museums, collectors, dealers, art historians, and members of the public with an affinity for Rimmer’s work. It will also appeal to those with a broader interest in American culture.

Endorsements

Dorinda Evans has tackled a daunting subject. William Rimmer didn’t explain his artworks to the puzzled critics; he mostly refused to offer them for exhibition or sale; he often chose subjects from his personal spiritualism that defy interpretation. No wonder he has remained a mystery to art historians, despite his reputation as one of America’s most inspired teachers. Dr. Evans' holistic approach to his life and art offers us our first clear view of this misunderstood but highly influential artist. Through extensive reading of period sources and clever sleuthing to find consistent threads in his art and life, she elevates Rimmer once again to the American art pantheon.

Elizabeth Broun

Director Emerita, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery

Contents

1. A Secret Inheritance

(pp. 1–22)
  • Dorinda Evans

2. The Two-Dimensional Portraits in Context

(pp. 23–50)
  • Dorinda Evans

3. Self-Expression in Flight and Pursuit

(pp. 51–80)
  • Dorinda Evans

4. Swedenborg and Enigmatic Pictures

(pp. 81–116)
  • Dorinda Evans

5. A Challenge to International Neoclassicism

(pp. 117–164)
  • Dorinda Evans

6. Visionary Depictions

(pp. 165–196)
  • Dorinda Evans

7. The Death and Legacy of a Maverick Artist

(pp. 197–208)
  • Dorinda Evans

Contributors

Dorinda Evans

(author)
Professor Emerita at Emory University