David von Schlegell

1920-1992

David von Schlegell bases his sculpture on construction methods used in creating aircrafts and boats. He uses materials such as aluminum, stainless steel and wood to create large configurations that are usually stress-curved, irregular shapes.

David Von Schlegell was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1920, the son of American impressionist artist William von Schlegell. He studied at the University of Michigan in the 1940s, and then entered the United States Air Force. He made his return to art when he joined the Art Students League in New York. In the early 1960s, David von Schlegell built his own sculpture studio in Ogunquit, Maine, and later established himself as a prominent sculptor. From 1971 to 1990, von Schlegell was the head of the Yale School of Art sculpture department. He died on October 5, 1992 in New Haven, Connecticut, at the age of 72.