Tony Rosenthal, Maquette for Alamo, USA, 1967/2024

Todd Merrill Studio is honored to announce their exclusive representation of the estate of esteemed American Sculptor, Tony Rosenthal (1914-2009). In conjunction with the Tony Rosenthal Estate, a group of the artist’s most enduring works will be available in limited editions exclusively at Todd Merrill Studio, beginning with Rosenthal’s best known work “Alamo” often referred to as “the Astor Place Cube”. From small to monumental scale the works will be available in a variety of metal finishes. Posthumously produced cube sculptures have been produced and installed in both public and private settings. This momentous occasion marks the first-ever public availability of Rosenthal’s revered artworks, promising collectors and admirers alike an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of sculptural history.

Available through Todd Merrill Studio the Rosenthal estate will produce limited editions of the artist’s catalog in various sizes ranging from 5 x 5 inches to 8 x 8 feet.

THE ALAMO – Every day millions see, enjoy and interact with monumental public art created by Rosenthal in cities across America. In New York City alone, five Rosenthal public art sculptures have been beloved and visible for over four decades. Tony Rosenthal’s Alamo, 1967, the monumental 15 foot Cor-Ten steel sculpture, also known as the Astor Place Cube, is without dispute Rosenthal’s best known and beloved public art sculpture, considered a New York and public art landmark, was first installed as part of Doris C. Freedman’s Sculpture in Environment installation, sponsored by New York’s Administration of Recreation & Cultural Affairs.

HISTORY – Born August 9, 1914, in Highland Park, Illinois, American Master Tony Rosenthal is best known for creating a staggering list of monumental public art sculpture in cities around the world. His works challenged traditional notions of representational public art and helped to establish a new language for public art that embraced abstract forms and engaged with the surrounding environment, including its people.

In 1965, Rosenthal began creating small five-inch cubes in balsa wood. After creating wood cubes, Rosenthal began rendering cubes in bronze, eventually producing five-foot cubes, and ultiamtely sizes up to 15 feet.

For over seven decades he created an arc of sculpture in a variety of sizes, from intimate table top pieces to grand scale monuments. His works ranged in both style and media, including wood, steel, bronze, brass, cement and aluminum.

Legacy – Rosenthal has been in included in numerous museum exhibitions, the first being the 1950 Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where he exhibited The Harp Player; in 1951 Rosenthal participated in the American Sculpture exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 1959, The Ark was included in The Museum of Modern Art’s Recent Sculpture USA exhibition where his exhibited sculpture was approved for MoMA acquisition by Directors René d’Harnoncourt and James Thrall Soby; in 1980, Rosenthal was included in The Museum of Modern Art’s Sculpture At The Coliseum. Rosenthal was also included in eight Annual exhibitions at The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, 1953, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1973.

Rosenthal’s works are owned by museums around the world, including: Chrysler Museum: Big Six, 1977; Connecticut College: Memorial Cube, 1972; Israel Museum: Oracle, 1960; Long House Reserve: Mandala, 1994–95, Rites of Spring”, 1997; Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Things Invisible to See, 1960, Harp Player, 1950; Guild Hall of East Hampton: “Cube 72”, 1972; Milwaukee Art Museum: Big Six, 1977, Maquette for Hammarskjold, 1977; National Gallery of Art: Magpole,1965; San Diego Museum of Art: Odyssey, 1974; Risd Museum: Cumuli III, 1965

Brass
9.50h x 7w x 7d in
24.13h x 17.78w x 17.78d cm