Brother Mel Meyer American (St. Louis), 1928-2013 Painted steel Signed and dated 1990 near the bottom of the footrest. Chaise lounge chair. Brother Mel Meyer was born in Florissant, MO in 1928 and joined the Marianist order of monks at the age of 19. After earning his master's degree in art from the University of Notre Dame in 1960, he embarked on an extensive European tour of the arts, where he studied under artists Jean Marlot, Ivan Mestrovic, and Jacques Le Chevallier. In 1969, Brother Mel opened his studio on Vianney High School campus. During his lifetime, Brother Mel created an estimated 10,000 bodies of work, an achievement that speaks to his diligence and devotion to his art as well as his faith. Brother Mel harnessed a vast array of media, including metal sculpture, glass, watercolor, acrylic, oil, frescoes, found objects, handmade paper, and textiles. His prolificity also led him to constructing furniture, as well as the light fixtures, stained glass windows, and the wall-paneling that graced his studio. In 1997, Anne Brown, owner of The Arts Company, visited Brother Mel's studio culminating in a strong presence of his work in Nashville, Tennessee. Brother Mel Meyer passed away October 12, 2013. Today his work can be found in public spaces throughout St. Louis and the nation, among numerous private and corporate collections. Provenance: The Artist, The studio of Brother Mel Meyer, St. John Vianney High School, St. Louis, Missouri Anne Brown, Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art, The Arts Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2009 First Edition, p. 166, illustrated. Dimensions: 36 x 30 x 84 in. (91.4 x 76.2 x 213.4 cm.)