Adolph Weinman

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameAdolph Alexander•Weinman (Weingärtner-)
Used nameAdolph•Weinman
Born11 December 1870 in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg (GER)
Died8 August 1952 in Port Chester, New York (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Sculptor, engraver and coin designer Adolph Weinman was a native German from the Karlsruhe region. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 10 with his family. Like many immigrants to the United States, Adolph changed his last name, from Weingärtner to Weinman, in order to convert it into a more English name. In New York, he studied at Cooper Union College for five years under Augustus Saint-Gaudens, amongst others.

Weinman became especially known for his coin productions. He designed the famous silver Mercury Dime and his silver half dollar became known as the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, in use from 1916-47, whose motif was later used for the Silver Eagle, first produced in 1986, and a 10-cent coin. However, he also created numerous statues commissioned by a New York architecture practice. History largely classifies Weinman as a famous medalist, but he did not like this designation and was insistent that he wanted to be known as an architectural sculptor. In 1901 the Ball Thrower was created, a 48 cm high bronze. In some sources it is also referred to as Putting the Shot. If you take a closer look at the posture and the ball, another title, Spirit of Baseball, seems to be more appropriate.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Art Competitions USA Adolph Weinman
Sculpturing, Statues, Open (Olympic) AC