When and where was Robert Berks born?
Robert Berks entered the world on the 26th of April 1922 inside Hecht House in Boston. This early environment shaped his perspective before he ever touched a chisel.
Questions about Robert Berks
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where did Robert Berks create art for over fifty years?
A converted schoolhouse on the north fork of Long Island served as his creative base for over fifty years. Berks operated this space alongside his wife Dorothy Tod until his death in 2011.
Why is Robert Berks known as The Capitol's Michelangelo?
Bronze monuments covering the National Mall earned Robert Berks the title The Capitol's Michelangelo during the 1960s. Critics and officials recognized his ability to handle massive bronze casts with precision.
Which presidents have displayed busts by Robert Berks in the White House?
John Fitzgerald Kennedy appeared frequently on the Resolute Desk under President Clinton while Ronald Reagan and Franklin Delano Roosevelt also found places of honor within the room. Joe Biden displayed a bust of Robert F. Kennedy during his term.
What major sculptures did Robert Berks complete between 1974 and 2005?
The Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial stands in Lincoln Park Washington DC as completed in 1974 and a monumental bronze statue of Albert Einstein sits on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences since 1979. Another version of this Einstein statue was donated to Princeton University in 2005.
When did Robert Berks die and what were his final artistic contributions?
Berks continued producing art until he died on the 16th of May 2011 at age 89 from natural causes. His final years included donations like an Einstein statue to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.