artist.shtml biography john-angel

Artist Name


birth11/1/1881, Newton Abbot, EnglandPicture of John Angel
death10/19/1960, Fairfield, CT
parentsSamuel Angel and ?
educationExeter School of Art, Exeter, England
Lambeth School of Art, London
Royal Academy School, London
awards

John Angel was born in Newton Abbot in 1881. He was one of ten children and the son of tailor. In 1901 he was apprenticed to a wood carver and soon started attending the Exeter School of Art. His education continued at the Lambeth School of Art in London, and finally at the Royal Academy School where he studied under George Frampton.

During a vacation in 1912 he met Elizabeth Day Seymour, the American-born classicist. She was traveling alone in Europe and the two fell in love when the encountered each other in Greece. They were married in 1914 and took up permanent residence in London. They had two boys, John Lawrence Angel in 1915 and Henry Seymour Angel in 1919. 1919 also marked the year that John Angel transitioned from "promising young sculptor" to recognized master when the Royal Society of British Sculptors elected him a Fellow at age 28.

In the early 1920s, Angel won commissions for two World War I memorials, the Exeter War Memorial in Exeter, Devon (1923) and the Bridgewater War Memorial in Bridgewater, Somerset. These two projects marked the end of his career in England. In 1925, the Angels had visited the United States and architect Ralph Adams Cram prevailed on John Angel to relocate to America. The family moved and John Angel became a naturalized citizen. John was commissioned to do a great deal of work for the St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City. More American work followed, most notably the six bronze doors of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. After living for a while in New York City, the family moved to Sandy Hook, Connecticut. This remained their home until Beth's death on January 6, 1942. John stayed on there until his own death eighteen years later.

Sourced mainly from Wikipedia and quoted sources.



You can click medals to switch between obverse and reverse sides.

  • Fall and Redemption 1956
    by John Angel
    SOM-53.1
    Golden bronze with tan patina

    This medal was chosen as the 53rd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The obverse bears Adam being offered the fruit of the Tree of Life by Eve and the serpent. Around, THE WOMAN TEMPTED ME - AND I DID EAT. The reverse bears archangel Gabriel delivering the Annunciation to the kneeling Virgin Mary, with scroll reading ET VERBVM CARO FACTVM EST. Around, BLESSED ART THOU - AMONG WOMEN; below JOHN © ANGEL 56.

    Biblical and religious themes in general always played well with the Society of Medalists' core members and it was no different with this medal. The comments that were received were invariably favorable.

    The medal measures 73mm in diameter and has a reported mintage of 682 pieces in bronze.

    SOM-53.1
    Bronze
    73.0mm (2.87in)
    Golden bronze with tan patina
    THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 53RD ISSUE - MAY 1956 JOHN ANGEL, SC.
    MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
    SOM-53.2
    Bronze
    73.0mm (2.87in)
    Golden bronze with tan patina
    THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 53RD ISSUE - MAY 1956 JOHN ANGEL, SC.
    MACO BRONZE
    SOM-53.3
    Bronze
    73.0mm (2.87in)
    Golden bronze with tan patina
    THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 53RD ISSUE - MAY 1956 JOHN ANGEL, SC.
    MACO - BRONZE
    SOM-53.4
    Bronze
    73.0mm (2.87in)
    Golden bronze with tan patina
    THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 53RD ISSUE - MAY 1956 JOHN ANGEL, SC.

  • Exeter War Memorial

    Exeter War Memorial (1923)

    Exeter War Memorial, also known as The Northernhay War Memorial is a war memorial in Exeter, Devon, located opposite Rougemont Castle in Northernhay Gardens. It was erected in 1923 at a cost of £6000 and supported by public subscription.

    A larger version of this image is available here.

  • Bridgewater War Memorial

    Bridgewater War Memorial (1924)

    The green figure of the memorial is allegorical, representing "Civilization as a seated female, holding a globe in one hand and with the book of knowledge on her lap." Mounted on a plinth, a female figure of "Civilisation&qot; lofts the world, which is encircled by emblems of commerce and peace. Under her foot are the "demons of war." The throne and figure are backed by "relief depictions of Labour, Home, Life and Education." On her lap is a book of laws, and she is surrounded by children. Indeed, given its monumental breadth, the many details in the design, and its metaphorical and iconic form, the sculpture is subject to colorful and variant interpretations and description. The bronze was cast by W Morris Art Bronze Foundry.

    Larger and uncropped image available here.



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American Art Medals, 1909-1995 by David Thomason Alexander
David T. Alexander's book can be purchased at the above link. Highly recommended for anyone interested in SOM. I am deeply indebted to him for all the information I used to document the SOM medals on this site.

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