Eugenie F. Shonnard, Peasants on Way Home from Fields, early 20th Century, oil on canvas, 15 × 18 in. Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art. Gift of Eugenie F. Shonnard Estate, 1978 (2008.1.2). © Museum of New Mexico Foundation. Photo by Brad Trone
NMDCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Museum of Art is honored to present Eugenie Shonnard: Breaking the Mold, the first major posthumous exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of acclaimed sculptor Eugenie Shonnard (1886-1978). This pivotal exhibition, accompanied by a comprehensive publication, seeks to reintroduce Shonnard’s remarkable contributions to the visual arts and sculpture to a new generation of art enthusiasts.
Opening March 8, 2025, and continuing through Aug. 24, 2025, Eugenie Shonnard: Breaking the Mold will explore the breadth of her artistic journey, from her early Art Nouveau designs shaped by Mucha’s influence to her later work in sculpture, architectural ornaments, and furniture. The exhibition will highlight her fearless approach to an art form in which few women excelled during her time, securing her legacy as a formidable presence in the American Southwest.
“Shonnard forged a close relationship with the New Mexico Museum of Art over the course of her career, and she left her estate through bequest to the Museum of New Mexico. There has not been an examination of Shonnard’s work in over fifty years, so it was important that we reevaluate her powerful legacy,” Mark White, Executive Director said.
Shonnard was a transformative figure in the history of art in the American Southwest. Though widely celebrated during her lifetime for her insightful depictions of Indigenous peoples and the folk traditions of the Southwest, she has been largely overlooked in recent decades. This exhibition aims to correct that oversight and highlight her extraordinary impact on the art world.
“Eugenie Shonnard’s work bridges the traditional and the modern, capturing the spirit of a region while redefining what sculpture could achieve,” Christian Waguespack, Head of Curatorial Affairs said. “This exhibition not only celebrates her artistic achievements but also reclaims her rightful place in the history of American art.”
Born in Yonkers, New York, Shonnard studied under the celebrated Art Nouveau master Alphonse Mucha at the New York School of Applied Design for Women and later apprenticed with Auguste Rodin and Antoine Bourdelle in Paris. Her connection to New Mexico began in 1925 when Edgar Lee Hewett, founder of the New Mexico Museum of Art, invited her to work in studio space provided by the museum. In 1927, after a successful exhibition of her Native American busts, she permanently relocated to New Mexico. Her work became deeply intertwined with the region’s cultures, earning her a national reputation as a pioneering sculptor.
Shonnard’s subject matter often reflected the cultural and religious iconography of the Southwest. Her work included commissions for churches and chapels, and her philosophy of art—as expressed in her own words—underscored her dedication: “God created form and color in this world. Also, he gave some of us talents for the use of these; therefore, we human beings must need them in our daily lives. There is perhaps no other answer! And so, we artists must fulfill life’s commission as artists and craftsmen!”
About The New Mexico Museum of Art
The New Mexico Museum of Art is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Programs and exhibits are supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its donors. The mission of the Museum of Art is to create authentic experiences that foster a deeper understanding and enjoyment of art throughout our state. With a collection of more than 20,000 pieces of work, the museum brings the art of the world to New Mexico and the art of New Mexico to the world.