Jo Davidson (1883–1952) was a leading American sculptor celebrated for his psychologically incisive portrait busts of prominent 20th-century figures. Born in New York City to immigrant parents, Davidson studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design before continuing his training in Paris. Although grounded in academic tradition, he developed a modern, expressive modeling style that emphasized vitality and character over polished idealization.

Davidson became one of the most sought-after portrait sculptors of his time. Over the course of his career, he created likenesses of major cultural, political, and intellectual figures, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Gertrude Stein, and George Bernard Shaw. Rather than striving for rigid realism, Davidson worked quickly and intuitively in clay, capturing fleeting expressions and subtle psychological nuances. His surfaces often retain visible modeling marks, reinforcing a sense of immediacy and life.

In addition to portrait busts, Davidson produced full-length figures and public monuments, but it was his intimate portrayals of individuals that secured his reputation. He believed sculpture should reveal the inner spirit of the sitter, not merely reproduce physical features.

Throughout his lifetime, Davidson exhibited widely and received numerous honors. By the mid-20th century, he was widely regarded as America’s foremost portrait sculptor. Today, his works are held in major museum collections and public institutions, admired for their expressive modeling, technical mastery, and ability to convey both likeness and personality with remarkable sensitivity.