(Abraham Lincoln Bust) Joanna Gichner Kendall, bust of Abraham Lincoln, inspired by Gutzon Borglum

Description

This Lincoln bust, created by Joanna Gichner Kendall (1899-1989) was inspired by the Gutzon Borglum bust that resides in the U. S. Capitol. The original Gichner Kendall version was commissioned by the State of Illinois for the entrance of the Illinois Pavillion at the iconic 1964 World’s Fair in New York. A favorite among visitors, the Pavilion featured an “Audio-Animatronic” representation of Abraham Lincoln created by Walt Disney. 

Created by Alva Studios, this bust is and cast in “Alvastone.” Alvastone was a patented formula combining Carrara marble dust and a bonding agent. The result is a rich, marble-like material that is far superior to the resins and other synthetic materials used today for most items like this. Alva Studios had a long history is creating replicas of famous museum pieces.

Alva produced this bust in several finishes. Although we see the other finishes regularly, this is the first we’ve seen in the marble finish. This one also differs from the others. Included on the back is etched signature of the artist, with 1964 below the signature and a copyright symbol. Gutzon Borglum’s name and “AMR” for Alva Museum Replicas is on the right side. The front of the bust includes “A Lincoln” rendered in Lincoln’s signature. This signature appears on all the other finishes of this bust that we have seen. 

Joanna Gichner Kendall was a mid 20th Century portrait sculptor, who fulfilled numerous commissions for portrait busts of notables, including President John F. Kennedy.  She graduated Cum laude from the Maryland Institute of Fine Art, and continued her artistic training under Charles Grafly at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. After university she studied under Albert Lesley and Charles Desiau in Paris, France. Her other artistic career hallmarks include being a member of the faculty for sculpture at The Reinhardt School in Baltimore, and
Director of Art at the Granville Avenue School, Margate, NJ, and the Atlantic City Art Center. Her works are in the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Noyes Museum of Art in Atlantic City, NJ.

Fine Condition, with only a small mold remnant on nose. 

(Lincoln Bust) (Gutzon Borglum). Joanna Gichner Kendall. Alvastone casting. 11″ x 4″ x 3″; New York, 1964.