Alexandre Zeitlin

Alexandre Zeitlin (Russian: Александр Моисеевич Цейтлин; 1872–1946) was a Russian sculptor known for his portrait busts.

Alexandre Zeitlin was born in Tiflis, Georgia, Russia, in 1872. He held his first art exhibition in his hometown as an early teenager.¹ He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (1890–1894),² where his portrait busts of actor Friedrich Mitterwurzer and Archduke Otto were recognized.¹ He then studied at the École des Beaux-Arts of Paris. Zeitlin's statue Despair and a portrait bust of opera singer Jeanne Hatto were among his first to receive public recognition. He became known for his portrait busts. Zeitlin received a Ordre des Palmes académiques (1903) for busts of Camille Flammarion² and was made an officer of public instruction (1907) for his statue of senator Louis Bizarelli. Zeitlin worked in Paris for over 20 years.¹

In 1915, Zeitlin moved to New York City, where he remained for the rest of his life.¹ He died in Knickerbocker Hospital on March 4, 1946. Zeitlin had a wife, Sofie. One of his two brothers, Leo, was a violinist and a professor at the Moscow Conservatory.² His nephew Alexander was a conductor at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.

His works have been collected internationally including institutions in the United States, France, and Russia.² His portrait bust of Edward VII, Prince of Wales, narrowly predated his coronation.¹