Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 28 works by Albert Laessle in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Albert Laessle left, the most famous is Paul Laessle (1912). Close behind it come Kid Feeding (1920) and Kingcrab and Beetle (1903). Our catalog holds 28 works by Albert Laessle; the gallery has kept the 28 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
Created about 1912, this marble bust captures the likeness of a young boy. The sculpture functions as a portrait representing childhood, focusing on the subject's face and upper torso. Through this representation, Albert Laessle explores the specific features of a youth, immortalizing a moment of early life in stone.
In this bronze sculpture, Kid Feeding by Albert Laessle, we find a quiet moment of connection captured in metal. Created about 1920, the work focuses on a child in the midst of a gentle act, offering food to an animal. The creature, likely a dog or a similar quadruped, leans toward the child, creating a sense of mutual presence. It is a study of a simple, tender interaction between two…
Bear Walking1916
12
Rabbit Leaping1916
13
Crawling Squirrel1916
14
Polar Bear Standing1916
15
Billy1914
16
Lion with Serpent1915
17
Abandoned1916
18
Squatting Polar Bear1916
19
George D. Widener Memorial Medal, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts1916
20
Performing Bear1920
21
Philadelphia Sesquicentennial International Exposition Medal of Award1926
22
Abundance America1934
23America Abundance1934
24
Defiance1939
25
University of Pennsylvania Medal for Merit in Architectural Ornament
26
Concord Art Association, Medal of Honor
27
Concord Art Association Medal of Honor Model (reverse)
28
Concord Art Association Medal of Honor Model (obverse)
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Created about 1912, this marble bust captures the likeness of a young boy. The sculpture functions as a portrait representing childhood, focusing on the subject's face and upper torso. Through this representation, Albert Laessle explores the specific features of a youth, immortalizing a moment of early life in stone.
In this bronze sculpture, Kid Feeding by Albert Laessle, we find a quiet moment of connection captured in metal. Created about 1920, the work focuses on a child in the midst of a gentle act, offering food to an animal. The creature, likely a dog or a similar quadruped, leans toward the child, creating a sense of mutual presence. It is a study of a simple, tender interaction between two…
Paul Laessle (1912). Kid Feeding (1920) and Kingcrab and Beetle (1903) come next.
35 years old: Paul Laessle dates from 1912, and Albert Laessle was born in 1877.
Paul Laessle, Kid Feeding, Kingcrab and Beetle, Merit in Architecture, La Source, First Step, The Hunter, Bronze Turkey, Toad and Cat with Back Up. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 28 works by Albert Laessle, dated from 1903 to 1939.
In 1910s: 13 of the 28 works on this page were made then, Paul Laessle among them.
On this page, the earliest is Kingcrab and Beetle (1903) and the latest Defiance (1939).
Sculpture (2) and Marble (2), across the 28 works on this page.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1877, Albert Laessle emerged as a distinctive voice within the American art landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His journey, shaped by familial encouragement alongside parental reservations about an artistic career, led him through rigorous training at institutions like the Spring Garden Institute, Drexel University under Thomas Eakins, and the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where he studied with masters such as Thomas Anshutz and Charles Grafly. A formative period spent in Paris from 1904 to 1907, working alongside Michel Beguine, honed his skills and broadened his artistic perspective, imbuing his later work with a refined sensibility.
Laessle is primarily remembered as an “animalier,” a sculptor specializing in animal subjects. However, to categorize him solely within this genre would be to diminish the breadth of his talent. While celebrated for his remarkably lifelike depictions of creatures—penguins, goats like his beloved "Billy" gracing Rittenhouse Square, and countless others—Laessle’s skill extended beyond mere representation. He possessed an uncanny ability to capture not just the physical form but also the essence, the spirit, of his subjects. This was evident in the controversy surrounding his early plaster sculpture, “Turtle and Crab.” Accusations of casting rather than modeling stemmed from the astonishing realism of the turtle, a testament to Laessle’s meticulous observation and technical prowess. His subsequent creation of a wax version, impossible to cast, definitively silenced his critics and solidified his reputation as a master craftsman.
Laessle's artistic achievements were widely recognized throughout his career. He garnered medals at international expositions in Buenos Aires and San Francisco, demonstrating the global appeal of his work. His talent was further acknowledged through prestigious awards like the Widener Gold Medal in 1918 and the J. Sanford Saltus Award in 1951. Beyond individual accolades, Laessle’s career involved significant collaborative efforts. Notably, he completed Charles Grafly's unfinished masterpiece, the General Galusha Pennypacker Memorial, a monumental project showcasing his ability to seamlessly integrate into and expand upon another artist’s vision. This collaboration highlights not only his technical skill but also his respect for artistic legacy.
Albert Laessle passed away in 1954, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences today. His sculptures reside in esteemed institutions like the Carnegie Institute and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, testament to their enduring artistic merit. Perhaps most poignantly, his bronze "Billy" remains a beloved fixture in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square, a playful symbol of childhood joy and a lasting tribute to Laessle’s ability to capture the simple pleasures of life. His influence extends beyond the art world; he taught generations of aspiring sculptors at the Pennsylvania Academy, ensuring that his dedication to craftsmanship and artistic integrity would continue to inspire future artists. Laessle's work stands as a gentle reminder of the beauty found in the natural world and the power of art to evoke emotion and connection.
