Soler, Urbici, 1890-1953

Urbici Soler was born in Catalonia, Spain in 1890. He apprenticed as a sculptor when he was fourteen and in 1912, studied in Germany under sculptor Adolf Von Hildebrand. He worked in several European countries. He travelled to Latin America in 1925 and became very well known as a sculptor of autochthonous Indians (original inhabitants of the region). He visited the United States for the first time in 1931. In 1937, he was commissioned to create the statue on Mount Cristo Rey in El Paso, Texas. He completed this in 1939. He married Bettie Binkley in 1940. He died in El Paso, Texas in 1953.

From the guide to the Urbici Soler Collection, 1938-1972, (Museum of New Mexico. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library.)

Urbici Soler was born in Catalonia, Spain in 1890. He apprenticed as a sculptor when he was fourteen and in 1912 studied in Germany under sculptor Adolf von Hildebrand. He worked in several European countries. He traveled to Latin America in 1925 and became very well known as a sculptor of autochthonous Indians (original inhabitants of the region). He visited the United States for the first time in 1931. In 1937, he was commissioned to create a statue (sandstone sculpture of Christ the King) on Mount Cristo Rey in El Paso, Texas. He completed this in 1939. He married Bettie Binkley in 1940. He was an art teacher at the University of Texas at El Paso until his death in 1953.

From the description of Urbici Soler collection, 1938-1972. (Museum of New Mexico Library). WorldCat record id: 51198933