Leonard Crunelle, “Baby Marguerite,” Bronze, c. Late 19th Early 20th Century

Sculpture

This bronze infant’s head is titled back slightly and the top of the head is more angled than circular. The child has a visible double chin which envelops any neck, and gives the appearance of the head sitting on a rough cylinder that extends diameter-wise to roughly the size of the head plus the ears, which do not lay close to the head. The top of the cylinder is smooth and suggests the child’s incomplete chest and shoulders. The sides of the cylinder are quite rough and resemble a coarse bark.

5 1/2 x 5 3/4 x 9″

(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.