A new film debuts tonight at Dartmouth College. It documents the life and work of American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. His summer home in Cornish New Hampshire became the center of an important arts colony and is now a National Historic Site.
The documentary covers Saint-Gaudens life, from his birth in Dublin, Ireland and childhood in New York City, though his rise to prominence and his continued legacy as one of this country’s greatest artists.
The film concludes a day dedicated to a re-examination of Saint Gaudens’ work, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death.
BJ Dunn is Superintendent of the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site. He spoke with VPR’s Neal Charnoff about why Saint-Gaudens was important.