(1901-1989) was born in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He studied painting at the Art institute of Chicago after being refused admission to a New Orleans academy on the grounds of race. Much of Barthé's work revolves around themes regarding religion, race, the theatre, and portraiture. Under the guidance of Jo Davidson, Barthé turned from painting to sculpture. In 1939, his work Mother and Son was featured at the New York World's Fair. Richmond Barthé's bust of Booker T. Washington was installed at the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1946. In 1964, Barthé was presented with the keys to the city of Bay St. Louis for his bust of Thelma Landry, whose mother was the librarian at Bay St. Louis. The bust of George Washington Carver, also sculpted by Barthé, was installed at the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1977. His other works include portrait busts of Sir John Gielgud, Katherine Connell, Maurice Evans, Rose McClendon, and Gypsy Rose Lee. A sculpture of the American eagle at the Social Security Building in Washington is attributed to Barthé. His works have been exhibited at Oberlin College's Allen Memorial Art Museum, the Chicago Historical Society, The National Portrait Gallery, The New York Metropolitan Museum, The Phillips Galleries, and the Grand Central Galleries in New York City, among others.

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