Mabel Conkling (born November 24, 1871, New York City – died December 21, 1966, Washington D.C.) was a prominent American sculptor known for her portrait busts, allegorical figures, and garden sculptures. She was a significant figure in American sculpture during the early to mid-20th century.
Early Life and Education: Born Mabel Atkinson in New York City, she later adopted the surname Conkling. She began her artistic training at the Art Students League of New York, where she studied drawing and modeling. Like many American artists of her generation, Conkling subsequently traveled to Paris to further her education. In France, she studied with renowned sculptors such as Antoine Bourdelle and briefly under Auguste Rodin, whose influence is evident in the expressive quality of some of her works. She also attended the Académie Julian and the Académie Colarossi.
Career and Artistic Style: Upon returning to the United States, Conkling established her studio in New York City. Her work encompassed a variety of subjects and styles, though she was particularly celebrated for her sensitive portraiture, capturing the likeness and spirit of her sitters. She also created numerous allegorical pieces, often featuring female figures, and popular garden sculptures. Her style blended elements of Beaux-Arts classicism with more modern, expressive approaches.
Conkling exhibited extensively throughout her career, including at prestigious venues such as:
- The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
- The National Academy of Design
- The Paris Salons
- The Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915)
She was a member of several important artistic organizations, including the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors and the National Sculpture Society.
Personal Life: Mabel Conkling married the novelist and short story writer Gouverneur Morris in 1905. Despite her marriage, she continued to be widely known and sign her works as Mabel Conkling or Mabel Conkling Morris.
Legacy: Mabel Conkling's sculptures are found in numerous public and private collections. She is remembered as a skilled and versatile artist who contributed significantly to the tradition of American figurative sculpture, particularly in her evocative portraits and decorative works.