103 - Janet Scudder (1869–1940)

Janet Scudder (1869–1940) The Bride Bronze with brown patina Signed “JANET SCUDDER” Bears the foundry mark “ALEXIS. RUDIER. / Fondeur. PARIS” H. 28 cm Born Netta Deweze Frazee Scudder, Janet Scudder began studying drawing at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, before training in modeling in the studio of Louis Rebisso (1837–1899) at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. In 1891, she continued her training in Chicago under John Vanderpoel (1857–1911), then worked as an assistant in Lorado Taft’s (1860–1936) studio. She participated in the 1893 World’s Fair and received a bronze medal. It was on this occasion that she discovered modern French sculpture; perhaps there she admired the marble works of Auguste Rodin, which were considered too sensual or even scandalous. The following year, she moved to Paris, where she attended the Colarossi and Vitti academies. Beginning in 1899, she exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français. Considered part of the “American Women in Paris” group founded by Mary Cassatt, Janet Scudder divided her career between Paris and the United States. In 1907, she became the first American female sculptor to have her works acquired by the Musée du Luxembourg. Her meeting with Jane Poupelet in 1911 marked the beginning of a deep friendship. Supporting one another, Scudder introduced Poupelet’s works to the United States. Poupelet, in turn, advocated on Scudder’s behalf to have her elevated to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. She received this honor in 1925 for lending her Paris studio to the American Red Cross to serve as a workshop for making masks for “gueules cassées” (war-wounded soldiers). A socially conscious artist, Scudder advocated for the inclusion of women artists in exhibitions and participated notably in events organized by the American Women’s Art Association. In 1925, she published her autobiography, *Modeling My Life*. Related literature: -Héra Mirtel, “Un bel exemple,” in *Le Soleil*, February 23, 1911, p. 3; -Janet Scudder, *Modeling My Life*, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1925 -Anne Rivière, Bruno Gaudichon, Jane Poupelet: 1874–1932: “Beauty in Simplicity,” exhibition catalog, Roubaix, André Diligent Museum of Art and Industry, October 15, 2005–January 16, 2006; Bordeaux, Museum of Fine Arts, February 24–June 4, 2006; Mont-de-Marsan, Despiau-Clérick Museum, June 24–October 2, 2006, Paris, Gallimard, 2006, p. 21; -Anne Rivière, *Sculpture’elles: Women Sculptors from the 18th Century to the Present*, exhibition catalog, Boulogne-Billancourt, Musée des Années Trente, May 12–October 2, 2011, Paris, Somogy, 2011;