Anna Ladd was an unconventional American sculptor whose work bridged art and humanity. During World War I, she founded the Studio for Portrait Masks under the American Red Cross, crafting face masks that restored both the appearance and self-esteem of soldiers disfigured by war. This remarkable contribution earned her France’s prestigious Legion of Honor.

While she is best known for her wartime efforts, Ladd lectured widely as an outspoken theorist on art and sculpture. In a 1925 public address, she declared:

“Sculptors, to be any good at all, have to touch all sides of life. They must have the physical strength of a blacksmith, the skill of a carpenter, the precision of a dentist, the knowledge of anatomy and psychology of a physician. They must have the soul of a poet and the creative energy of a god.”

More on Anna Ladd: reidhall.globalcenters.columbia.edu/content/studio-portrait-masks-1918-1920

The Reid Hall History Project continues to grow, enriched by the contributions of numerous collaborators. The website is regularly updated with new insights and information: reidhall.globalcenters.columbia.edu/ 

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