Janet Scudder

Wabash Valley profiles : a series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference

Description:	One typed page including photograph; biography of Janet Scudder, one of Americas most renowned sculptors. ABASH VALLEY WP R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference.Janet Scuddererre Haute native Janet Scudder ranks among Americas most renowned sculptors. Born to William Hollingshead and Mary (Sparks) Scudder Oct. 27, 1869, she was christened Netta Deweze Frazee Scudder. In the 1870 census and the 1887 Terre Haute High School commencement program, she was referred to as Nettie. Her childhood was marred by tragedy. Her mother died Sept. 6, 1874, at age 38, and four of her seven siblings died before they reached adulthood. Brother Charlie, her favorite playmate, drowned Aug. 6, 1885, at age 17. A hardworking confectioner who manufactured and sold candy and ice cream at 638 Wabash Ave. behind the family residence at 637 Cherry St., William Scudder was treasurer of the First Congregational Church, served two terms on the city council and was a trustee of the Terre Haute Public Schools. After Mary Scudders death, Netties primary care rested with Hannah Hussey, who began residing with the Scudders in 1857 when Nettie was only eight years old. Nettie loved Hannah--her maid, cook, nurse and confidant--and resented her stepmother, her fathers second wife. In 1881 Scudders confectionery was relocated to Dowling Hall at 22 North Sixth St. However, a house fire caused financial havoc. Soon after entering high school, Nettie began taking drawing classes conducted by Professor William Ames each Saturday at Rose Polytechnic Institute. Caroline Peddle Ball, another student in the class, also became a sculptor of international standing. The pair became close friends, submitting exhibits and winning prizes at county fairs in Indiana and Illinois. Despite his fragile resources, William Scudder enrolled his precocious daughter at the Cincinnati Academy of Art in 1887 where Nettie, by her choice, became Janet Scudder. Woodcarving was her primary interest. Unfortunately, her father died Sept. 15, 1888, from nervous prostration at age 59. At the time, Janet was teaching woodcarving at Coates College for Women in Terre Haute. Scudder moved to Chicago in 1891 and, after employment as a woodcarver, became studio assistant to sculptor Lorado Taft, who was working on the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Through associations with Taft, Janet earned commissions for statues for the Indiana and Illinois buildings at the fair. She then became a student of Frederick MacMonnies in Paris, France, returning to New York in 1895 to earn an important commission from the New York Bar Association. Upon returning to Europe in 1896, Scudder was influenced by Donatello and Andrea del Verrochio, 15th century Italian sculptors, and began work on her Frog Fountain, versions of which were acquired by architect Stanford White and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Soon regarded as an innovator of garden sculpture, Scudders exquisite awardwinning fountains--most depicting cherubs or fauns--adorn museums, embassies and estates throughout the world. Sheldon Swope Art Museum and the Womans Department Club of Terre Haute are beneficiaries. Her bas relief portraits and emblems in ceramic and bronze, including the coveted Indiana Centennial Medallion commissioned in 1916, are highly esteemed. Except during World War I, Scudder resided in Ville dAvray near Paris after 1909 and, in later years, became a painter. She visited Terre Haute about 18 months before her death on July 9, 1940, at her last summer retreat near Rockport, Mass.TAlways Close to Home812-238-6000MEMBER FDICA MUSICAL SALUTE TO WWII VETERANSTerre Haute Symphony Orchestra concert sponsored by First Financial BankCelebrating the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII with Richard RodgersVictory at Sea and other memorable music from the 40s and 50s, including music of the Big Bands.Saturday, April 9 7:30 p.m. Hulman Center $10 starting ticket priceTickets available at the ISU Hulman center ticket office, any TicketMaster outlet or by phone at TicketMaster Terre Haute, 812-234-2424.File name: Janet Scudder profileDate Published: March 24, 2005
Origin:	2005-03-26
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/582
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Scudder, Janet, 1869-1940 Modeling (Sculpture) Sculptors Artists Carving Stone carving People

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