Although virtually forgotten today, Audrey Munson was a popular artist's model, muse, silent film actress, and newspaper columnist in the early 20th century. Munson and I come from the same hometown, Mexico, NY.
"American Venus: The Extraordinary Life of Audrey Munson Model and Muse" by Diane Rozas and Anita Bourne Gottehrer was published in 1999. The book describes Munson's long and tragic life and includes many vintage and contemporary photographs. Unfortunately the book also contains many factual and typographical errors.
I live in New York City, where there are many sculptures and statues for which Munson posed. On this website I hope to present some of my, admittedly amateur, photographs of her statues as well as any factual information I dig up about her.
Detail of "Memory" the Straus Memorial sculpture in Straus Park, 107th and Broadway. Augustus Lukeman (1871-1935) was the sculptor.
Looking south at "Memory" October 2003.
Tile artwork on the uptown side of the 86th St. station of the IRT. There's a series of tile works made by local students in the 1980s in this station. I need to go back and get details.
Ida and Isodor Straus were passengers on the Titanic on its maiden voyage. They died when Ida refused to board a lifeboat without her husband. At the time Mr. Straus was the owner of Macy's.
Thousands mourn at Straus memorial - article from the May 12, 1912 New York Times describing the memorial services for the Straus's.
Straus Park is Dedicated - article from the April 15, 1915 Evening Sun newspaper reporting on the memorial's dedication ceremony
Friends of Straus Park
It is time we dedicated a memorial to Audrey Munson whose charm has given New Yorkers so much pleasure.
Posted by: sheryl | October 24, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Thanks for the enlightenment, and your photos are great.
Her films were Inspiration (1915) and Purity (1916) -
see "http://www.filmsite.org/sexinfilms1.html"
I will read that book.
Posted by: Brian H. | January 03, 2007 at 03:04 PM