Maurice J. Power

Maurice J. Power (1836 – September 1902) was a New York-based sculptor, politician and owner of the National Fine Art Foundry, New York City.

Advertisement in The Sun, 9 October 1892

Biography

Power was born in Rosscarbery, Cork, Ireland.[1] His parents emigrated to Utica, New York when he was 3 years old. He studied monumental sculpture under Robert Eberhard Launitz, at the same time as Casper Buberl with whom he would later collaborate.[2] Power continued in this occupation before in 1868 establishing the National Fine Art Foundry, 218 East Twenty Fifth Street, New York. Many notable works of public art were produced by the foundry including several Civil War battle memorials.[3]

Power entered politics and became involved with Tammany Hall during the William M. Tweed era, later joining the other Democratic Party factions: Irving Hall and the County Democracy, becoming chairman of the latter. He was a protégé of Samuel J. Tilden, worked for Hubert O Thomson and held public offices including: Police Court Justice for 10 years from 1880, Shipping Commissioner for the Port of New York from 1893 and Aqueduct Commissioner from 1897.[4][5]

His political influence helped artists such as sculpture William Rudolf O'Donovan gain sponsorship for public works of art, many of which were soldier monuments commemorating the American Civil War. These were often cast at Power’s foundry. Power was the artist himself for similar works.[6]

Power died at his home 317 East Nineteenth Street in September 1902. He wife of 34 years, Mary F O'Brien died in 1911. They had no children.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Rossa, Jeremiah O'Donovan (1889). Rossa's recollections, 1838 to 1898. Mariner's Harbor NY. p. 6&7.
  2. ↑ Grissom, Carol A. (2009). Zinc Sculpture in America, 1850-1950. Associated University Press. p. 550.
  3. ↑ "Collections Search Center". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "New Shipping Commissioner". The New York Times. 25 June 1893. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Blake, E Vale (1901). History of the Tammany society from its organization to the present time (1901). New York: Souvenir Pub. Co.
  6. ↑ Reason, Akila (2010). Thomas Eakins and the Uses of History. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 152.
  7. ↑ "Maurice J Power Dead". The New York Times. 9 September 1902. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
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