Bust of John F. Kennedy, Robert Berks, 1964. 6” cast plaster on vintage marble base, overall height 8"; verdigris patina, some very slight wear on Kennedy's head and a small chip in the nose, Alva Museum replica, authentic reproduction produced in collaboration with the Robert Berks studio.

Robert Berks (1922-2011) was a highly respected, multi-award winning sculptor whose distinctive work can be found in many prominent pubic monuments, museums and universities. In fact, there are more Berks' monuments in Washington, D.C. than any other sculptor.

In 1996, The New York Times published a lengthy interview with the artist entitled "Encounters; A sculptor Whose Model is History." The article points to the fact that it was Berks' bust of Kennedy that was featured in Life magazine when the President was shot. Similarly, it was his bust of Dr. Martin Luther King which appeared in Time magazine following Dr. King's assassination.

In 1953, Albert Einstein posed for Mr. Berks. The resulting sculpture now stands opposite Washington's Lincoln Memorial inviting visitors into the National Academy of Sciences. The artist created sculptural likenesses of Israeli leaders, including Chaim Weizmann, Golda Meir and Abba Eban during that young nation's earliest days. Late in the artist's career, he created important works of noteworthy African Americans including Mother Hale (for the Hale House in Harlem) and Mary McLeod Bethune. Likenesses of cultural icons including Pablo Casals, Leonard Bernstein and Frank Sinatra were also sculpted by Berks.

Atwater Bradley Collection Acquired from the Artist

A classic that looks stunning in the sunlight.