biography of Richard RECCHIA (1885-1983)

Birth place: Quincy, MA

Death place: Rockport, MA

Addresses: Rockport, MA, 1928

Profession: Sculptor

Studied: BMFA School; Acad. Julian, France; in Italy.

Exhibited: PAFA Ann., 1910-12, 1919-20, 1926-29, 1936; Pan-Pacific Expo, 1915 (medal); Guild Boston Artists, 1923 (solo), 1934 (solo); St. Botolph Club, 1926 (solo); CGA, 1928; BMFA Sch. (prize; solos); NSS, 1939 (prize), 1940-49 (Lindsay Morris Mem. Prize for Bas Relief, 1949); AIC; New York World's Fair, 1942; NAD, 1942 (gold medal), 1944 (prize), annually; Int. Expo, auspices Italian Gov., Bologna, Italy, 1931 (Gold Cross & Medal of Honor); S. Indp. A., 1944.

Member: NAD; NSS; Copley Soc.; Boston SS (founder); Boston AC; Phila. Alliance; CAFA; Gld. Boston Artists; North Shore AA; Rockport AA; AAPL.

Work: bas reliefs on bldg., Boston Art Mus. & replica, Purdue; Boston State House; Somerville Pub. Lib.; Red Cross Mus., Wash., DC; Buffalo Mus. Art & Science; Boston Psychoanalytical Inst.; J.B. Speed Mus., Louisville, KY; Brookgreen Gardens Mus., SC. Commissions: bas reliefs, Gov. Curtis Guild, Boston Common, 1916; Sam Walter Foss, Brown Univ., 1916; Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard Univ., 1917; Gov. Oliver Ames Mem., Northeaston, MA, 1921; portrait tablet, Davenport Sch., Malden, MA; Gov. John Stark equestrian statue, State of NH, Manchester, 1948.

Comments: Son of an Italian immigrant stonecutter. Modeled idealized figures expressing emotional states, and, later, small modernist bronzes of birds and other animals. Preferred media: bronze, marble. Positions: founder, Boston Soc. Sculptors. Publications: illustr., Down to Earth," 1964.

Sources: WW73; "Richard Recchia Creates Heroic Aize Equestrian," Am. Art (June, 1950); Meara, "A Garden Where Statues Grow," North Shore Magazine (1968); Stickler, "Stark Holds Symbol of Freedom High," New Hampshire Sun News, Sept. 27, 1970; WW47; Fort, The Figure in Am. Sculpture, 219 (w/repro.); Falk, Exh. Record Series.