Edward McCartan

Recognized for his skill in creating sculpture of classical figures in an ornamental style, Edward McCartan was a New York state based artist much influenced by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. Many of McCartan's subjects were of Greek mythology such as his well known "Diana," a nude figure struggling with a dog, which emphasizes the muscular tension and strong body lines of both subjects.

In Lincoln Park of Chicago, he created in 1922 the "Eugene Field Memorial" which won a medal of honor from the Architectural League, which was a commemoration of the poet and journalist who was known for his ten volumes of writings and his regular column, 'Sharps and Flats' in the "Chicago Morning News". The central figure of the monument had a nymph in bronze, "Rock-a-by-Lady from Hushaby Street" looking down on two sleeping children. She holds poppies signifying that she can bring them good dreams. The granite base has McCartan carvings of children's fantasy stories such as "Wynkun, Blynun, and Nod".

McCartan also did a sculpture of two monumental allegorical figures supporting a huge clock, "Transportation" and "Industry", for the New York Central Building, which later had the name of the Helmsley Building.

He was born in Albany, New York and established his studio in New York City. McCartan studied at the Art Students League and Pratt Institute in New York City and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Among his teachers were Herbert Adams, George Gray Barnard, and Hermon MacNeil. In 1925, he was elected an Associate member of the National Academy of Design. Other affiliations included the National Sculpture Society, the American Institute of Architects, and the National Institute of Arts and Letters.