A classic “bust” portrait of a child in white plaster. The child’s earlobes peek out from a nose-length “Dutch boy” hair style. The child has tousled bangs and gazes off to the side, with just a hint of a downward tilt to the head. The child’s mouth is open slightly. The neck turns into partially sculpted shoulders and collarbone which diminish on the underside and sit atop a truncated cube.
(1872-1944)
Crunelle was born in Lens, France. He immigrated with his family to Indiana in 1882, but they soon moved to the Decatur, Illinois area. Here, Crunelle attended school and helped his father in the coal mines. In school, he impressed his teachers with his drawing ability. When Lorado Taft came to Decatur to deliver a lecture, the local teachers showed off some of Crunelle’s art work. Taft was impressed and invited Crunelle to come to work with him in Chicago.
Crunelle moved to Chicago and worked with Taft on sculptures for the Columbian Exposition. He enrolled in night-time classes at the Art Institute to study sculpture. Crunelle is best known for his sculptures of children.