William Bird (sculptor)
English sculptor / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about William Bird (sculptor)?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
William Bird or Byrd (1624–c.1691) was a 17th century English sculptor. He seems to have served Oxford University for many decades as their official mason. His most notable work is the covered arch linking the two sections of New College, Oxford, raised over the centre of the carriageway to allow laden haycarts to pass.
For reason of social convention of the day he was classified as a master craftsman rather than as an artist, despite his considerable skill, the term artist being served mainly for painters in the upper classes creating free-standing pieces. Also in the convention of that time he received very poor payment for his work, which would have been at the same rate as other craftsmen, such as a blacksmith shoeing a horse.[1]