If you have walked Manhattan streets, visited Central Park, or stood in the atrium of the Metropolitan Museum's American Wing, you have seen the art of Audrey Munson. An extraordinary artist’s model and a brave, adventurous young woman, Audrey was born in Rochester, NY, in 1891. Her parents divorced when Audrey was small and her mother worked as a seamtress to support them. When fifteen year-old Audrey and her mother Katherine entrained for New York City from Syracuse, they knew no one. But Audrey, who loved music and dance, was ready to seek her fortune.
Amazingly, Audrey was approached on a Manhattan street by photographer Ralph Draper, who introduced Audrey to the sculptor, Isidor Konti. Konti's “Three Graces”, modeled by Audrey, made her career. The plucky Munson had no qualms about posing in the nude and later in life, she told an interviewer, “I detest false modesty. For my part I see nothing shocking in our unclothed bodies.”
Munson impressed the artists she worked with by her talent for finding a pose capable of expressing an abstract idea and infusing the pose with emotion that carried over into the finished sculpture. Sherry Edmundson Fry, who used her as his model for the pediments that grace the front entrance to the Frick Collection, said: “Audrey Munson is one of the really intelligent models who can catch an idea and enter into the spirit of the work.”
Munson impressed the artists she worked with by her talent for finding a pose capable of expressing an abstract idea and infusing the pose with emotion that carried over into the finished sculpture. Sherry Edmundson Fry, who used her as his model for the pediments that grace the front entrance to the Frick Collection, said: “Audrey Munson is one of the really intelligent models who can catch an idea and enter into the spirit of the work.”
Audrey also appeared in several Hollywood films and, on returning to New York in 1919, Audrey and Katherine were befriended by a wealthy couple who invited them stay at their Long Island estate. The wife became convinced – apparently with good reason – that her husband was in love with Audrey and asked the women to leave. Shortly after, Julia Wilkins was found murdered on the lawn. Her husband was arrested and, although he tried to
convince authorities that burglars were responsible, the overwhelming physical evidence led to a conviction and death sentence for Dr. Wilkins. He hung himself in his jail cell.
As the unwilling object of tabloid attention, Audrey began to, in her mother’s words, “lose her concentration.” The two sought refuge from the notoriety in the quiet upstate town of Mexico, New York, where Katherine again did sewing to make ends meet.
In April, 1922, The Syracuse Herald reported that Audrey Munson was engaged to an aviator from Michigan. On May 27, Audrey attempted to poison herself. Journalists investigated, but could find no evidence that the man existed. Movie Weekly's headline blared The Awesome Story of Audrey Munson's Strange Life!"
As the unwilling object of tabloid attention, Audrey began to, in her mother’s words, “lose her concentration.” The two sought refuge from the notoriety in the quiet upstate town of Mexico, New York, where Katherine again did sewing to make ends meet.
In April, 1922, The Syracuse Herald reported that Audrey Munson was engaged to an aviator from Michigan. On May 27, Audrey attempted to poison herself. Journalists investigated, but could find no evidence that the man existed. Movie Weekly's headline blared The Awesome Story of Audrey Munson's Strange Life!"
After that, Munson kept to herself but her erratic behavior was noticed; 
when several barns in the area burned down (a common occurrence in 1920s rural American), the locals suspected Munson. In 1931, a judge committed the 39 year old Munson to a mental hospital where she spent the rest of her life – another 65 years.
A niece, who sought out Munson in the psychiatric hospital, found a woman intelligent, charming, and without bitterness. Munson died on February 29, 1996 at the remarkable age of 105.
when several barns in the area burned down (a common occurrence in 1920s rural American), the locals suspected Munson. In 1931, a judge committed the 39 year old Munson to a mental hospital where she spent the rest of her life – another 65 years.A niece, who sought out Munson in the psychiatric hospital, found a woman intelligent, charming, and without bitterness. Munson died on February 29, 1996 at the remarkable age of 105.
Although her life was bracketed by hardship and tragedy, Audrey Munson, as artist, is a triumphal figure. Drawing on inner sources of intelligence and courage, she made a life that no one could have imagined for her and left a legacy that invites wonde
Addendum as of 12/10/11 for the Audrey Munson Project, with thanks to Marilyn Slater.
Addendum as of 12/10/11 for the Audrey Munson Project, with thanks to Marilyn Slater.
American Venus by Diana Rozsas and Anita Bourne, Los Angeles, Balcony Press: 1999, is an invaluable source of information about Audrey Munson's career and life.
1. Daniel Chester French - Memory, 1917-1919, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.
2. Daniel Chester French - Mourning Victory, 1906-1908, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.
2. Daniel Chester French - Mourning Victory, 1906-1908, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.
3. Karl Bitter - Pomona, 1916, Central Park at 59th Street, NYC.
4. Augustus Lukeman - Memory: The Straus Memorial, Broadway at 107th Street, NYC.
4. Augustus Lukeman - Memory: The Straus Memorial, Broadway at 107th Street, NYC.
For a more complete inventory of Audrey Munson's works, visit http://www.newyorkcitystatues.com/audrey-munson/
Note: The Mexico (NY) Historical Society is working to provide a monument for Audrey Munson's grave. If you would like to know more, or to contribute to their effort, please contact them at: Audrey Munson Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 331, Mexico, NY, 13114-0331.
2 comments:
OK, I am left flabbergasted! Yes, what a life. Perhaps the mental institution was the perfect place, if only so she could be alone and undisturbed. I hope she found some way to nourish her artistic self. But I guess I'm mainly flabbergasted by the fact you uncover all this amazing stuff. And we are the lucky beneficiaries! In gratitude - Jeanne
Jeanne, I read "American Venus" when it first appeared and realized that I had seen Audrey Munson's work many times but not known about her. I did artist modeling in my twenties, so I thought I would write about Munson. I tried to shop the article to the print media, with no luck. Recently a reader suggested Muson as a subject and here she is.
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