Bessie Potter Vonnoh started modeling in clay as a teenager and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. She established her own studio where she created plaster statuettes of society women that became very popular among the sitters. The profits from the statues financed her trip to Europe, where she met the noted sculptor Rodin. She married American painter Robert Vonnoh and they shared a studio in New York City, where they exhibited their work together. She had two solo shows and became the first woman sculptor to teach at the National Academy of Design.