Louis Rosenthal's Amazing Sculptures

Written by Sharon Quigley-Rosenthal Sunday, 11 July 2010 21:37

Baltimore, MD - In 1923 the Royal Society of Miniature Painters changed their name/charter to the Royal Society of Miniature Painters & Sculptors solely to allow in one American: Louis Rosenthal. Louis Rosenthal (1888 – 1964) received international acclaim for creating miniature sculptures many no more than an inch in height.  Utilizing a simple pearl-handled penknife as his sole tool he built up his tiny figures from wax and cast them into bronze himself as no foundry anywhere in the world could work with figures so small.

Museums and galleries in London, New York, and Washington D.C., exhibited his works, and his works are still in museum collections today.  In the 1920’s he was visited in the U.S. by Alyn Williams and William Aumonier.

In January of this year, Sharon Quigley-Rosenthal, granddaughter of Louis Rosenthal created an online museum as a tribute to her grandfather so once again the world can share in the joy of viewing the miniatures.  “It is striking to watch the miniatures he created many years ago be given a new life today.” – Sharon Quigley-Rosenthal.

The historical, mythological, spiritual, musical, and often satirical significance of his miniatures expands a vast terrain.

“The Louis Rosenthal Museum is a photographic compilation of statuettes, sprinkled with reflections, passages and remembrances that have lifted themselves up and spoken to me with the desire to remain to be heard.” – Sharon Quigley-Rosenthal.

The miniatures of the sculptor who once was thought of as ‘the artist who carries a museum in his pocket’ can be viewed at the online museum. Nestled within the vastness of the internet waiting to be discovered is the Louis Rosenthal (online) Museum : www.louisrosenthalmuseum.org

Ms. Quigley-Rosenthal also has an apparent fondness for the music of Led Zeppelin, evident in her choice of using the song Bron-Yr-Aur written by Jimmy Page as background music for her miniature slide-show.  “It’s a beautiful acoustic; a perfect accompaniment.”

http://www.louisrosenthalmuseum.org/the-miniatures---slide-show.html

In addition to hundreds of miniatures Rosenthal also created larger works which include the Lindbergh Memorial, the Monument to Balfour, and figures of Edgar Allan Poe, Beethoven and Mae West.  For the Lindbergh Memorial - two were cast, one in gold and one in bronze and presented to the Lindbergh family and the government of France.

The Baltimore Sun Newspaper is Baltimore, Maryland USA is writing a feature story on the online museum which will appear in the Arts & Entertainment section on Sunday July 4 or July 11, 2010.   A copy of the article will be posted on the online museum website. 

Two exhibitions of Rosenthal's miniatures are planned; one in Washington, D.C. this fall and a second in Wells, Somerset, England next summer.  Exhibition information is listed on the website.   “My grandfather’s miniatures were appreciated and respected highly in England.” – Sharon Quigley-Rosenthal.

Contact:         Sharon Quigley-Rosenthal
                      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
                      443-280-1105
                      Baltimore, Maryland USA