Martin Isler


Martin Isler was an American sculptor and Egyptologist. His sculpture was primarily direct carving in marble and his archeological work focused on ancient technology, especially building methods. Isler started work as an independent patent illustrator, providing pen and ink drawings to be incorporated into patent applications.
He married Natalie Horwitz and they had two sons, Edward Robert and Jeffrey Alan.

Books and journals

Sticks, Stones, and Shadows: Building the Egyptian Pyramids, University of Oklahoma Press.ISBN 0-8061-3342-2The World and I, Lessons of the Pyramids.Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt.''
  1. 1976, Vol. 13 - "Ancient Egyptian Methods of Raising Weights," frontispiece, pp.31-41, pl. 2, 3.
  2. 1983, Vol. 20 - "Concerning the Concave Faces on the Great Pyramid," pp. 27-32.
  3. 1985, Vol. 22 - "On Pyramid Building," pp. 129-142.
  4. 1987, Vol. 24 - "On Pyramid Building 2," p.95-112.
  5. 1989, Vol. 26 - "An Ancient Method of Finding and Extending Direction," pp. 191-206.
  6. 1991, Vol. 28 - "The Gnomon in Egyptian Antiquity," pp. 155-185.
  7. 1987, Vol. 73 - "The Curious Luxor Obelisks," pp. 137-147. The Journal of Egyptian Antiquity.
  8. 1991, Vol. 7- "The Merkhet," pp. 53-67. Varia Aegyptiaca.
  9. 1992, Vol. 48 - "The Technique of Monolithic Carving," pp. 45-55. Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologische

Sculptures, works

Isler went on to carve 28 pieces in marble between 1965 and 2012. From Isler’s summary notes:Natalie Life size, 13”x 10”x 10” Statuary Marble Untitled Life Size, 25.5”x 18”x 15” Statuary MarbleNatalie II Life Size, 71”x 17”x 17” Select MarbleSeated Woman with Tiara Life Size, 41”x 35”x 26” Statuary Marble Standing Woman with Signet Ring Life Size, 70”x 25”x 17” Statuary Marble One More Unfortunate Life Size, 11” x 12” x 10” Statuary MarbleRepose Life Size, 8.5”x 12”x 13” Select MarbleGodhead Over Life Size, 13”x 10”x 10” Select MarbleWoman with Large Hat Life Size, 41”x 15.5”x 25” Statuary MarbleEcstatic Caryatid Life Size, 15”x 8”x 9” Statuary MarbleShe Was a Phantom of Delight Life Size, 20”x 14”x 8” Statuary MarbleFrom Maytime Life Size, 11”x 7”x 9” Radio Black MarbleHomage to Nefertiti Life Size 15”x 9” x 10” Radio Black MarbleNo Stronger than a Flower Life Size, 15’’x 11”x 8” Statuary MarbleBald Venus Life Size, 66”x 15”x 14” Statuary MarbleAngry Stone Life Size, 12”x 10”x 11” Radio Black MarbleNeck Offering 10.5” x 8.5” x 15” Select MarbleKate Life Size, 10.5”x 9.5”x 9” Select MarbleMadame X Life Size, 17”x 12.5”x 9” Radio Black MarbleYoung Ballerina Life Size, 21”x 15”x 10” Radio Black MarbleOdette Life Size, 15”x12”x 9” Select MarbleBoxer Life Size, 11.5”x 9”x 5” Radio Black MarbleNefertiti Half Life Size, 10.5” x 9” x 5” Bardiglio Marble Black Swan Half life-size, 17.5” x 6” x 8.5” Radio Black MarbleAnthropomorphic Swan 14.5”x14.5” x 4.5” Radio Black MarbleOdile 13”x10.5” x 7” Cararra MarbleEmerging Man 11.5” x 7” x 5” Radio Black MarbleSamson 13” x 9” x 5” Radio Black Marble

Drawings

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids”.