American Fine Arts History continues: March 2021
“Elliot Midwood AFA’s original founder and artist, Jonathan Hirschfeld , worked together on various projects in the early years, and ever since Hirschfeld has often returned to AFA. The photograph shows Elliot, far right, Hirschfeld, center, and Tom Bonner, the photographer, on the left, standing beside Hirschfeld’s bronze “Epidaurus”.
The sculpture was conceived in 1983 for a medical center in Mission Viejo, CA . This is American Fine Arts history and anchors the foundry’s legacy of being one of the longest running Fine Art Foundries in Southern California.
Elliot Midwood 1982
Elliot was known for his expert knowledge of chemicals and his masterful patinas.
In 1982 Jonathan Hirschfeld cast his “Seated Nude” at the American Fine Arts Foundry. These photographs of Elliot at work were taken by the artist in Burbank, where the foundry continues to operate to this day.
Jonathan Hirschfeld 1982
Elliot Midwood working on Jonathan Hirschfeld's Seated Nude Sculpture (1982)
COMPLETED: Jonathan Hirschfeld's Seated Nude Sculptures
Brett Livingstone Strong
Another early monumental project of founder Elliot Midwood, was with the artist: Brett Livingstone Strong. Strong received a commission to design and sculpt “The Spirit of Freedom” (Constitutional) Monument.
The Commissions History
Former Chief Justice of the United States, the late Warren Burger, was the Chairman of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution from 1985 through 1990. During that time, the most significant projects he commissioned were the construction of two magnificent monuments: the United States Presidency Monument, a.k.a the Presidency Bicentennial Monument and the Monument to the Bicentennial of the Constitution, aka the Spirit of Freedom Monument.
Both national monuments are currently displayed on the grounds of Markel Corporation’s national headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.
His skill and interest led him to a further relationship with the commission and a private foundation that additionally commissioned him to recreate the original American Constitution and Bill of Rights documents in exact detail on bronze plaques. The two national monuments were designated as: The National Monument to the United States Constitution which weighs 5 tons and stands 9 tall and The United States Presidency Monument which weighs 20 tons and stands 17′ tall.
The National Monument to the United States Constitution
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