Constellation Similarity Assertions

Spratling, William, 1900-1967

William Spratling (1900–1967) was a U.S.-born silver designer based in Taxco, Guerrero. He was also a collector of pre-Hispanic art, and these objects inspired many of his original creations, as well as the forgeries that were known to be produced in and sold out of his workshop. Spratling was trained in architecture and taught at Tulane University, but after spending time in Mexico via the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México’s international summer programming, he decided to relocate to Mexico permanently, where he forged relationships and collaborations with artist-collectors such as Diego Rivera and Miguel Covarrubias. Spratling appears with great frequency in the Stendahl Art Galleries correspondence: like most collectors of the era, Spratling sold objects as well, including to Earl Stendahl and Guillermo Echániz. Today, much of Spratling’s collection of pre-Hispanic objects can be viewed at the Museo Guillermo Spratling in Taxco. Among his contributions to other institutions in Mexico, Spratling donated 26 objects and sold 102 more to the Museo Nacional de Antropología ahead of its 1964 opening in Chapultepec.

Spratling studied architecture at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University), 1917-1921. He designed the university seal that, with minor changes, is still in use; he also taught drafting at API. Spratling moved to New Orleans where he taught at Tulane University and shared an apartment with novelist William Faulkner. Soon after, Spratling moved to Taxco, Mexico, reviving that town's silver industry. He authored many articles about architecture as well as a critically-acclaimed book, Little Mexico. In 1962, Auburn University presented him with an honorary doctorate. He died in a 1967 automobile accident.

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