Lorado Taft, “Mary Taft,” Plaster, c. Late 19th Early 20th Century

Lorado Taft was born in Elmwood, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois in Champagne Urbana where his father taught geology. Then Taft went to Europe for further study. After finishing his European studies, Taft returned to Illinois and lighted in Chicago. Here he found a need for his skills, as Chicago was preparing for the Columbian Exposition. Taft remained based in Chicago for the rest of his life and became an instructor at the Art Institute. Taft considered educating the public about art as his mission in life, and so he travelled around the country (and especially around the Midwest) giving lectures and demonstrations. Taft wrote two books on sculpture and won awards in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition; in 1901 at the Buffalo Exposition; and in 1904 at the St. Louis Exposition. You can see other examples of Taft sculptures in places like Chicago, Urbana, Elmwood, and Oregon, Illinois.