Cyrus Dallin

Cyrus Dallin was born in Springville, Utah in 1861. Even at a young age Cyrus’ talent for sculpting was evident, and at age 19 he went to Boston to study under renowned sculptor Truman Bartlett. Upon completing his studies in Boston, Cyrus went to Paris where he received further artistic instruction.

After his education, Cyrus went on to complete many notable sculptures and projects. He won the bid to do an equestrian statue of Paul Revere in Boston, completed a sculpture of Sir Isaac Newton for the Library of Congress, constructed the Pioneer Monument in Salt Lake City, and was hired by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to sculpt the Angel Moroni for the top of the Salt Lake Temple – a figure which would go on to be a worldwide symbol for the church.

Cyrus Dallin’s crowning achievement was a four-part series he did called The Epic of the Indian. Each piece of this series depicts a Native American sitting astride a horse. The pieces in this series were on display at multiple renowned art showcases and are installed in various cities around the United States.  Three of the four statues were cast in bronze, and the most famous one, Appeal to the Great Spirit, became a symbol of American art. It stands at the entrance to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Despite his attention to his art, Cyrus still managed to support a family and raise three sons. Not to mention teach and compete as an archer in the 1904 Summer Olympics. Cyrus Dallin lived a life dedicated to his craft. His detailed and iconic sculptures impacted the American art world in countless ways. He died in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1944.