Armand LaMontagne: The Sculptor who Immortalized boston’s Sports Legends
Table of Contents
- 1. Armand LaMontagne: The Sculptor who Immortalized boston’s Sports Legends
- 2. A Legacy Carved in Wood
- 3. The Bird Sculpture: A Moment of Revelation
- 4. Capturing the Essence of a Legend
- 5. LaMontagne’s Enduring Impact
- 6. what is the connection between Armand LaMontagne’s sculptures and the emotional world of the athletes he portrayed?
- 7. Interview: Reliving Boston’s Glory: A Chat with Sports Historian, Evelyn Reed
- 8. The Art of Immortalization
- 9. Crafting the Legends
- 10. A Lasting Impression
October 26, 2024
Armand LaMontagne, a master wood sculptor, left an indelible mark on Boston’s sports history with his life-size sculptures of icons like Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, ted Williams, and others. His intricate carvings captured the essence of these legends, bringing their athletic prowess and personal stories to life in stunning detail.
A Legacy Carved in Wood
For three decades, Armand LaMontagne dedicated his talent to immortalizing Boston’s sports heroes in wood. His portfolio boasts impressive life-size sculptures of figures such as general George S. Patton, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams (twice), Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, Carl Yastrzemski, and Harry agganis. Each piece reflects LaMontagne’s dedication and artistic vision, capturing not only the likeness but also the spirit of his subjects.
| Sports Legend | Sculpture Highlights | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Larry Bird | Detailed high-top sneakers, capturing his intense focus. | Bird initially posed in his pickup truck at LaMontagne’s studio. |
| Bobby Orr | Intricate details of hockey gloves, showcasing the texture and wear. | Considered one of LaMontagne’s most dazzling works. |
| Ted Williams | Depicted fishing in New Brunswick, his “happy place.” | Williams declared it his favorite portrait of himself. |
| Carl Yastrzemski | the torque and grace of his swing, capturing a home run moment. | Yastrzemski remarked that LaMontagne captured the perfect swing. |
| Harry Agganis | Classical pose reminiscent of Zeus, throwing a thunderbolt. | One critic compared it to Zeus, highlighting its powerful imagery. |
Even the great Bill Russell was considered for a LaMontagne original. The concept involved Russell balancing on one leg while securing a rebound, poised to initiate a fast break with a bullet pass to Bob Cousy or Sam Jones. While Russell respectfully declined, the vision exemplifies LaMontagne’s ability to envision dynamic moments in sports history.
The Bird Sculpture: A Moment of Revelation
the creation of the Larry Bird sculpture involved an unexpected connection. After presenting the study for the Cooperstown sculpture, a request was made to connect with Bird. Cowens reached out, and within 48 hours, Bird and Cowens drove to LaMontagne’s studio, where the Celtics legend agreed to pose.
Ten months later, the sculpture was unveiled at a private dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and later at boston Garden. During the Ritz dinner, Bird acknowledged Bobby Orr, stating he always looked at Orr’s retired number during the national anthem for inspiration.
Capturing the Essence of a Legend
Each sculpture created by LaMontagne possesses unique characteristics that capture the essence of their subjects. Orr’s sculpture is known for its dazzling array of carved and painted details,while Yastrzemski’s captures the torque and grace of his swing. Even Williams,portrayed in his element fishing in the salmon streams of New Brunswick,found the sculpture to be his favorite portrait.
He captured him socking a home run.
carl Yastrzemski
the attention to detail was so meticulous that even Tom Heinsohn, initially skeptical, was won over after inspecting the details of the Bird sculpture. He initially remarked it was just “pretty good” pointing out that Well, for starters, he put socks and shoes on a mannequin.
However, upon closer examination, Heinsohn was rendered speechless, acknowledging the artist’s skill.
Retweet to vote for Larry Bird to make the NBA 75th Anniversary Team! #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/2mRJJwRY4e
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 11,2021
LaMontagne’s Enduring Impact
LaMontagne’s work has drawn comparisons to Grinling Gibbons, England’s master wood sculptor of the 17th and 18th centuries.This comparison highlights the significance of LaMontagne’s contribution to art history, positioning him as a master in his own right.
His legacy lives on through his sculptures, which continue to captivate visitors and remind them of the dedication, skill, and passion of Boston’s sports legends. The stories of these athletes, immortalized in wood, remain an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage.
what is the connection between Armand LaMontagne’s sculptures and the emotional world of the athletes he portrayed?
Interview: Reliving Boston’s Glory: A Chat with Sports Historian, Evelyn Reed
October 26, 2024
we sit down with Evelyn Reed, a leading sports historian, to discuss the enduring legacy of Armand LaMontagne, the sculptor who immortalized Boston’s sports legends in wood. His remarkable artistic career, spanning decades, captured the essence of iconic athletes.
The Art of Immortalization
Archyde News: Evelyn, thanks for joining us. Armand LaMontagne has left an incredible mark on Boston’s history. What sets his work apart in your view?
Evelyn Reed: Thank you for having me. LaMontagne’s work isn’t just about replicating a likeness; its about capturing the spirit. He understood the dedication of thes athletes. The Larry Bird sculpture, such as, with the detailed high-top sneakers, shows he understood that it wasn’t just about the game, but also the focus. And the Bobby Orr, so dazzling, so intricate.It’s clear he saw that there was an entire emotional world to each portrait.
Crafting the Legends
Archyde News: The table in your article provides excellent context for LaMontagne’s work. It speaks to the personal touch he brought. The Ted Williams sculpture, for instance, depicted him fishing; this must have resonated deeply?
Evelyn Reed: Absolutely. Williams considered the sculpture his favorite portrait of himself. It’s those personal details – yastrzemski’s swing, Agganis’s pose – that create a real connection. It’s not just a figure, it’s a narrative. Consider the fact that Bill Russel was nearly portrayed by LaMontagne, that shows you the scope of these portraits.
A Lasting Impression
Archyde News: LaMontagne was once compared to Grinling gibbons. Do you believe this comparison is a justified one?
Evelyn Reed: I do. LaMontagne’s influence is still alive today. The stories of these athletes, and what they represent to the city of Boston, continue to move people. Like Gibbons, he elevated the wood sculpture, not just as a craft, but as a fine art, that is still celebrated by the ages. it’s enduring. His work resonates with people far beyond Boston,reminding us of the power of art to capture and preserve the core of our experience.
Archyde News: Considering his lasting impact, what would you say is the single, most significant element of LaMontagne’s work?
Evelyn Reed: The enduring connection forged with these athletes. Even the skeptical, Tom Heinsohn, was moved by them.. Each sculpture he created gave the audience a view into who these players were.
Archyde news: Thank you, Evelyn, for enlightening us with your insight into Armand LaMontagne’s incredible work.It’s inspired reflection. what do you think is the most iconic LaMontagne sculpture from the list, and why?
Evelyn reed: It is a hard question to answer. Perhaps, it’s the most vital to you – which sculpture connected you most? I’d be eager to know.
