Gutzon Borglum

Date of Birth: March 25, 1867

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: March 6, 1941

Biography

Gutzon Borglum, born John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, was an American sculptor most renowned for his monumental work on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Borglum was born on March 25, 1867, in St. Charles, Idaho Territory, to Danish immigrants. He began his artistic career under the tutelage of his father, who was both a woodcarver and a cabinetmaker. Borglum’s early education in art took him to San Francisco, where he studied at the San Francisco Art Association. He later moved to Paris and studied at the Académie Julian and the École des Beaux-Arts, where he was influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin. Borglum’s career took off in the early 20th century when he began receiving commissions for public works and monuments. His style emphasized realism and grandeur, which made him a popular choice for large-scale projects. Aside from Mount Rushmore, Borglum also worked on the Confederate Memorial Carving at Stone Mountain in Georgia, although he did not complete this project due to disputes with the commissioning organization. Borglum’s legacy is most indelibly marked by Mount Rushmore, a project that took 14 years to complete and involved the carving of the faces of four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. He passed away before the project was fully completed, but his son, Lincoln Borglum, oversaw its final touches.

5 Interesting Facts about Gutzon Borglum

1. Gutzon Borglum was the first American sculptor to have his work purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

2. He was a fervent nationalist and believed that his works should represent American ideals and history.

3. Borglum was an aviator and had a keen interest in aviation, even designing a plane himself.

4. He was involved in politics and was a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, who influenced his later works.

5. Borglum’s given name, “Gutzon,” was derived from a Danish ancestor who was known for his courage and strength.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gutzon Borglum

1. “A monument’s dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated.”

2. “Let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were.”

3. “Faith moves mountains, but only knowledge can move them to the right place.”

4. “We believe that our work should be a mirror of the ideals and aspirations of our people.”

5. “Art is not a thing; it is a way.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Gutzon Borglum is not precisely documented, but he earned substantial sums from his numerous public works commissions, including Mount Rushmore, which was funded by federal and private contributions totaling around $1 million at the time (equivalent to approximately $19 million today).

Children

Gutzon Borglum had two children: 1. Lincoln Borglum (1912–1986) – He followed in his father’s footsteps and was a sculptor and engineer, notably completing the Mount Rushmore project. 2. Mary Ellis Borglum (1916–2002) – She was an artist and author, contributing to the preservation of her father’s legacy.