Reuben Nakian

Nakian, Reuben (1897–1986). American sculptor, born at College Point, New York, the son of Armenian immigrant parents. He studied at several art colleges before being apprenticed to Paul Manship, 1917–20. In Manship's workshop he became friendly with Gaston Lachaise and they shared a studio in the early 1920s. At this time Nakian worked in a polished traditional style and in the 1930s he was particularly known as a portraitist. During the Second World War he confined himself mainly to drawing, and when he returned to sculpture in earnest in about 1947 it was with a radically changed style. Influenced by his friend Arshile Gorky, he became one of the sculptors (others were Lassaw, Lipton, and Roszak) who created a kind of three-dimensional version of Abstract Expressionism. Typically he used cloth stretched on chicken wire and dipped in plaster or glue, creating rough, sensuous textures. Later he had his works cast in bronze and sometimes added elements in welded steel. Often he based his work on mythological themes, but retained only vague suggestions of figurative elements (Goddess of the Golden Thighs, Detroit Institute of Arts, 1964–5). Much of his work is on a large scale, intended for outdoor display.

Reuben Nakian , 1897-1986, American sculptor, b. College Point, New York. Nakian's work is characterized by bold, massive, rough-textured forms organically draped or leaning heavily against one another. Most are abstract portrayals of themes from classical mythology. The monumental Rape of Lucrece (1955-58; Mus. of Modern Art, New York City) is made of welded steel sheets and rods. Nakian's works are noted for their spontaneous sensuality.