Donato, Giuseppe.

[Collection of Sketches and Photographs by Italian American Sculptor Who Studied Under Rodin.]

Mostly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 1900-1960s. Approximately 430 leaves of sketches on a variety of sheet sizes (approximately one quarter with drawings on both sides); 50 photographs, nearly all of which measure 8” x 10”; around 50 items of ephemera. Most items very good, a small percentage are chipped and many items have light dust soiling.

This is a wonderful collection of sketches and other items from an important Italian American sculptor-turned-inventor, Giuseppe Donato. From Donato's biography in the finding aid for his papers at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts:

“Born in Italy in 1881, Giuseppe Donato came to America at the age of ten, and by the time of his death established himself as a noted sculptor and recognized figure in the Philadelphia art community. Receiving a city scholarship, Donato studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1897 to 1903. He also studied modeling and architecture at PMA, which operated at that time as the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art. While at PAFA, he won a prize for sculpture as well as a scholarship to study in Europe. In Paris from 1903 to 1905, Donato studied first at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts and then with Rodin. Returning to America, Donato created some controversy with "Burning Desire" and "Nature's Melody," two nudes he created in 1908 for the city of Baltimore. Other works included a large bronze statue of Columbus for the Pennsylvania town of Easton (1930), the west pediment of the building that in 1940 housed the Philadelphia Municipal Court, and a statue completed in 1946 of Thomas Fitzsimmons, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution, which stands today in Philadelphia's Logan Square. According to a 1965 obituary, Donato's most famous works included busts of Mark Twain and Benito Mussolini, as well as works entitled "Dawn," "Hand of Immorality," and "Plumline of Human Consciousness." Donato maintained a studio in Philadelphia and was a longtime member of the city's Art Commission.”

Although we are not sure when, at some point Donato became a naturalized United States citizen.

The bulk of the collection consists of approximately 360 leaves of sketches and drawings mostly accomplished around the turn of the 20th century, into the 1910s. Donato was an inveterate sketcher who would draw on anything available including used envelopes, business cards, portions of broadsides, telegrams, receipts, and a place mat. Subjects include commemorative medals, a cellist, obelisks, lions, a church, and the cover of a Philadelphia telephone directory. Early 20th century material also includes 13 pages from Donato's 1909 diary which describe various projects.

The rest of the collection is dated from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. This section includes 28 photographs which show various Donato sculptures both unfinished and completed. Donato can be seen in a couple of these pictures, with one great shot showing him standing on the base of an unfinished statue. This section also includes Donato's attempts to patent various writing instruments. It holds approximately 62 sketches and drawings, 23 photographs, 51 pages of supporting documents and a carved pencil that can be seen in some of the images. A few drawings and around ten letters show Donato's attempts to sell his inventions related to the automobile industry.

A fantastic collection with exceptional research potential. Very good. Item #9384

Price: $2,850.00