Tony Rosenthal's Monumental Art Style

If you've ever seen the Alamo sculpture at the Astor Place in Manhattan, New York, then you're like to have heard of Tony Rosenthal, the public sculptor. Rosenthal's work is most often with large scaled abstractions that are quite basic in shape, but very distinct in style. His use of geometrical fundamentals adds in the overall beauty of every one of his projects.

Sculpture by Tony Rosenthal Photography by David Shakbone

Rosenthal was born on August 9, 1914 at Highland Park, Illinois. Like many American sculptors, he did undergo formal schooling at art schools, starting with the famous Art Institute of Chicago in 1932. Shortly after, he also attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he graduated with a B.A. In 1939, he went to the Cranbrook Academy of Art and studied with artist Carl Miles. After all these years of education, he served for a period of time in the US Army and even acquired the title of commander. Rosenthal decided to become a teacher after his years of service because he wanted to pass on the knowledge given to him through all his years of studying.

Many of his public sculptures today are widely appreciated by American citizens around the nation. His sculpture Rondo at the 59th Street off Park Avenue is a frequently remembered display by visitors. Big Six, a sculpture he completed in 1975 is resident art piece of the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. Rosenthal's masterpieces were meant to be in the public view because that's how he sees them fit. He desires for art to become a communal thing, shared in the essence of society and its history.