CAROLINE SHAWK BROOKS COLLECTION, ca

Caroline Shawk Brooks photograph collection, circa 1880-1910

Finding Aid for the Collection at the Chicago History Museum, Research Center

Rev. by D. Rinder, 2008

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Title: Caroline Shawk Brooks photograph collection [graphic]

Inclusive dates: ca. 1880-1910

Size:

37 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 1/2 in. or smaller.

9 photographic prints : cyanotypes ; 7 x 9 in. or smaller.

1 photographic print : tintype ; 3 1/2 x 5 in.

1 photographic image on glass ; 2 1/4 in. dia.

6 photomechanical prints ; 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. or smaller.

1 drawing : pen & ink ; 8 x 10 in.

Accession #: 1949.0354

Call #: 1949.0354 PPL

Description of the collection:

Images related to Caroline Shawk Brooks, sculptor and modeller, 1840-1913. Caroline Shawk Brooks was first known for her modelling in butter exhibited at the World's Fair (Paris, France), 1878. Subsequently, she executed portrait marbles of, among others, Emanuel Swedenborg, George Eliot, Thomas Carlyle, and a portrait group representing Mrs. Alicia Vanderbilt and family. Photographs include images of her sculptures of President and Mrs. William McKinley, Chinese diplomat Li Hung-chang, "La Rosa" (the Vanderbilt group), and Ulysses S. Grant. Other images show Brooks at work or posing with her sculptures, including an image of her in the process of making a butter sculpture of Columbus at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago (Ill.).

Caroline Shawk Brooks (1840-1913), a sculptor and modeler, was known as the “butter artist” and first received attention for her modeling in butter exhibited at the World’s Fair, Paris, in 1878. She also exhibited butter sculpture at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. She executed portrait marbles of, among others, Emanuel Swedenborg, George Eliot, Thomas Carlyle, and a portrait group representing Mrs. Alicia Vanderbilt and family.

Gift of Irene Dixon, 1949 (1949.0354). She also donated 4 sculptures by Brooks (1949.0165-1949.0168) to Chicago History Museum.

Storage: Box Lot (1 box, 11 x 14 in.)

List of online catalog headings:

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

McKinley, William, 1843-1901

Vanderbilt, Alicia, Mrs.

Brooks, Caroline Shawk, 1840-1913.

Li, Hung-chang, 1823-1901.

World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.)

Sculpture -- Illinois -- Chicago.

Women artists -- Exhibitions -- Illinois -- Chicago.

Women sculptors -- Illinois -- Chicago -- 1890-1910.

Photomechanical prints.

Silver gelatin prints.

Container list:

Drawing, pen & ink

Sculpture

Artists—Caroline Shawk Brooks