Finding aid for the Merrell Gage sculpture and clipping 5270

Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein

USC Libraries Special Collections

Doheny Memorial Library 206

3550 Trousdale Parkway

Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189

213-740-5900

specol@usc.edu

2013 May

Title: Merrell Gage sculpture and clipping

Collection number: 5270

Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections

Language of Material: English

Container: 1

Physical Description: 1.0 Linear feet 1 box

Date: 1949

Item Condition: The sculpture is broken and therefore fragile.

Abstract: The collection consists of Merrell Gage's sculpture of Saint Francis and a clipping of an article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times on January 16, 1949 on the artist Glen Lukens in which the sculpture, owned by Lukens, was featured. Merrell Gage was born in Topeka, Kansas, studied art in New York and France, and worked as an assistant to the sculptor Gutzon Borglum. In 1924 he and his wife moved to Los Angeles and built a studio in their home in Santa Monica Canyon. He began teaching sculpture at USC, eventually rising to become head of the department.

creator: Gage, Merrell, 1892-1981

Conditions Governing Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Box/folder# or item name], Merrell Gage sculpture and clipping, Collection no. 5270, University Archives, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Biographical note

Merrell Gage was born in Topeka, Kansas, studied art in New York and France, and worked as an assistant to the sculptor Gutzon Borglum. In 1924 he and his wife, Marian, a painter, moved to Los Angeles and built a studio in their home in Santa Monica Canyon. He began teaching sculpture at USC, eventually rising to become head of the department.

Scope and Content

The collection contains Gage's terracotta model for his sculpture of Saint Francis, and a clipping of an article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times on January 16, 1949 on the artist Glen Lukens in which the sculpture, owned by Lukens, was featured. The sculpture appears to be an early version of the sculpture of Saint Francis that Gage created for St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades in 1958.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Gage, Merrell, 1892-1981 -- Archives

Ceramics (objects)

Clippings

Sculpture (visual work)