Background
Weinberg, Elbert was born on May 27, 1928 in Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
Weinberg, Elbert was born on May 27, 1928 in Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Rhode Island School Design, 1951; Master of Fine Arts, Yale University, 1955.
Displaying an early interest in art, he enrolled at the Hartford Art School at night while attending Weaver High School. After two years he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design. At the young age of 23, he was awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome, which allowed him to perform further art study in Italy.
Upon returning to the United States., he became a teacher at the Yale School of Design.
There he produced a wood carving that caught the eye of a trustee from the Museum of Modern Art, and this sculpture was shown on the cover of Art in America. In 1959, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and he decided to return to Rome, where he remained for the next eleven years.
Returning to the United States., he taught sculpting at Dartmouth College, Boston University, Temple University (while in Rome) and Union College. He became Professor of Sculpture at Boston University in 1983.
His early works were influenced by themes of mythology, religion and the Holocaust.
They have been displayed at multiple museums, including the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Wadsworth Atheneum in his home town of Hartford. Among his most acclaimed works are the Joie de Danse in the Portman San Francisco hotel and the 1980 Holocaust Memorial at Freedom Plaza in Wilmington, Delaware. His work Procession was displayed at the Jewish Museum of New York, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel was shown at Brandeis University, the Procession 2 at Beth El Temple in West Hartford, and Justice at the Boston University School of Law.
The Elbert Weinberg Prize was established in his memory out of a trust fund set up in his name.
Son of Hyman Phillip and Rose May (Apter) W. Divorced; 1 daughter, Julia Davenport.