Augustus Lukeman

Who was Augustus Lukeman?

Henry Augustus Lukeman was an American sculptor, specializing in historical monuments. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, and introduced to sculpting at age 10 at a boys' club miniature workshop. From 10 to 13 he worked with clay and wood. He then became a pupil of sculptor Launt Thompson until age 16, followed by an apprenticeship at the foundry of Jno. Williams, Inc. until he was 19. Then for several years he studied terra cotta and architectural modeling for building and exterior decorations while in the evening studying life drawing and the antiques at the Cooper Union and the National Academy of Design in New York. His work was recognized by the Henry Street Settlement and he earned an honorary L.H.D. from Dickinson College.

When the construction began of the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, he superintended the enlarging of some of the most important works, including Daniel Chester French's Statue of the Republic. Following that he went to Europe and worked under Jean-Alexandre-Joseph Falguiere in the Beaux Arts, in Paris. When he returned to New York he became a pupil of friend and mentor Daniel Chester French before starting his own studio in New York.