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 renowned for creating one of the most iconic monuments in the United States—Mount Rushmore. Born on March 25, 1867, in St. Charles, Idaho Territory, Borglum grew up in a family of Danish immigrants. He showed an early interest in art and studied in California before moving to Paris, where he was influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin. Borglum returned to the United States and earned a reputation for his large-scale public works. His most famous project, Mount Rushmore, features the colossal carvings of four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This monumental work, completed between 1927 and 1941, symbolized the spirit of the American frontier and aimed to promote tourism in South Dakota. Apart from Mount Rushmore, Borglum worked on various other projects, including the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial in Georgia and numerous statues and busts across the country. He was a complex figure, both celebrated and controversial, known for his passionate, sometimes abrasive personality. Borglum passed away on March 6, 1941, before the completion of Mount Rushmore, but his legacy as an artist endures.

5 Interesting Facts about Gutzon Borglum

1. Borglum’s original name was John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum.

2. He studied art in Paris, where he was influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin.

3. Borglum began work on the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial, but the project was left unfinished due to disagreements.

4. He was awarded the Logan Medal of the Arts in 1909.

5. Borglum was also a writer and published articles on art and sculpture.

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. “Mount Rushmore was a project of colossal proportions, both in its physical size and its significance to the American public.”

3. “Every face in Mount Rushmore is an individual as distinct as the four great men they represent.”

4. “Art in America should be monumental.”

5. “Sculpture should be a part of the environment, not something to be placed on a pedestal and admired from afar.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gutzon Borglum’s highest net worth is difficult to ascertain precisely, but his numerous large-scale commissions and projects suggest he was relatively well-off during his career, particularly through the funding he received for Mount Rushmore.

Children

Gutzon Borglum had two children: 1. Lincoln Borglum, who was also a sculptor and played a significant role in the completion of Mount Rushmore after his father’s death. 2. Mary Ellis Borglum Vhay, who pursued a career in nursing and later in writing.