The Endlessly Fascinating Beaux Arts Muse Audrey Munson
By Caitlin Hawke
h/t to Peter Frishauf for the WSJ video.
If you don't know about Audrey Munson (1891-1996), the darling model of New York sculptors of yore, you are in for an eye opening. I mean, really, open your eyes and you will see: Audrey is everywhere! But to start, have a look at the figure in Straus Park where she was sculpted by Augustus Lukeman. Or check out the statues of Duty and Sacrifice on the Firemen's Memorial where Attillio Piccirilli sculpted her.
She wasn't just a Bloomingdaler, of course! You can see her atop the fountain in front of the Plaza Hotel (sculpted by Karl Bitter) or on the Maine Monument at Columbus Circle (also by Piccirilli). Or if you are downtown, crane your neck to see her on the Municipal Building: a gilded Munson as Civic Fame. I told you she was everywhere. And I haven't even gotten to Brooklyn.
A lot has been written (for example, here, here and here) about this celebrated and classical beauty who was also rather a tragic figure. Recently, the Wall Street Journal did this video which I thought would find a nice home on these blog pages in recognition of this honorary citizen of our neighborhood whose likeness stood for allegory and timelessness. May her image endure in these parts forever.
h/t to Peter Frishauf for the WSJ video.
If you don't know about Audrey Munson (1891-1996), the darling model of New York sculptors of yore, you are in for an eye opening. I mean, really, open your eyes and you will see: Audrey is everywhere! But to start, have a look at the figure in Straus Park where she was sculpted by Augustus Lukeman. Or check out the statues of Duty and Sacrifice on the Firemen's Memorial where Attillio Piccirilli sculpted her.
She wasn't just a Bloomingdaler, of course! You can see her atop the fountain in front of the Plaza Hotel (sculpted by Karl Bitter) or on the Maine Monument at Columbus Circle (also by Piccirilli). Or if you are downtown, crane your neck to see her on the Municipal Building: a gilded Munson as Civic Fame. I told you she was everywhere. And I haven't even gotten to Brooklyn.
A lot has been written (for example, here, here and here) about this celebrated and classical beauty who was also rather a tragic figure. Recently, the Wall Street Journal did this video which I thought would find a nice home on these blog pages in recognition of this honorary citizen of our neighborhood whose likeness stood for allegory and timelessness. May her image endure in these parts forever.
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