The Ether Monument: The Good Samaritan, (sculpture)

Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery

Object Details

sculptor
Ward, John Quincy Adams 1830-1910
architect
Van Brunt, Henry 1862-1903
Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985
Public Monument Conservation Project, 1986.
Zoukee, Sophye M., "Adopt-A-Statue Casebook," Boston: City of Boston, 1990, pg. 28.
Boston Art Commission, 1991.
National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, MA5060, 1989.
Sharp, Lewis I., "John Quincy Adams Ward Dean of American Sculpture," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1985, no. 44, pg. 168.
Monumental News, Dec. 1894, pg. 594; May 1914, pg. 311.
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Massachusetts survey, 1993.
SOS Conservation Treatment Award, 1998.
SOS Conservation Notification Report, 2001.
Image on file.
Zoukee, Sophye M., "Adopt-A-Statue Casebook," Boston: City of Boston, 1990, pg. 28.
Sharp, Lewis I., "John Quincy Adams Ward Dean of American Sculpture," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1985, pg. 168.
Monumental News, May 1914, pg. 311.
(On the front of base:) TO COMMEMORATE/THE DISCOVERY/THAT THE INHALING OF ETHER/CAUSES INSENSIBILITY TO PAIN/AT THE/MASS. GENERAL HOSPITAL/IN BOSTON/OCTOBER A. D. MDCCCXLVI (On left side of base:) NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN (On back of base:) IN GRATITUDE/FOR THE RELIEF/OF HUMAN SUFFERING/BY THE INHALING OF ETHER/A CITIZEN OF BOSTON/HAS ERECTED/THIS MONUMENT/A. D. MDCCCLXVII (On right side of base:) THIS ALSO COMETH FORTH/FROM THE LORD OF HOSTS/WHICH IS WONDERFUL/IN COUNSEL,/AND EXCELLENT/IN WORKING (On lower rear of base:) The Gift of Thomas Lee
The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary
In the center of a large square fountain basin is a tall square granite base topped with a sculpture depicting a bearded man in robe and turban (the good samaritan) attending a wounded reclining male figure who appears unconscious. Around the center section of the base, there is an inscription panel on each side. The inscription panels are bordered by a decorative frieze, flanked by pairs of polished red granite columns, and topped with a small tre-foil shaped marble relief. The relief on the front depicts the performance of surgery; the relief on the right depicts an allegory of the triumph of science; the relief on the rear depicts a field hospital with a wounded soldier in the care of a surgeon; and the relief on the left depicts the Angel of Mercy descending toward a reclining figure. A water spout on each side of the base is designed as a lion head.
1867. Dedicated Sept. 26, 1868
Control number
IAS MA000002
Type
Sculptures-Fountain
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
Medium
Sculpture: granite; Base: granite and red marble; Fountain: brick and granite
Owner/Location
Administered by City of Boston Office of Cultural Affairs Boston City Hall, Room 716 Boston Massachusetts 02201
Located Boston Public Garden Near Arlington & Beacon Streets Boston Massachusetts
Title
Good Samaritan, (sculpture)
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums
Topic
Figure group--Male
History--Arts & Sciences--Medicine
Occupation--Medicine--Doctor
Allegory--Arts & Sciences--Science
Occupation--Military--Soldier
State of Being--Illness--Wound
Architecture--Civic--Hospital
Religion--Angel
Animal--Lion
Record ID
siris_ari_14517
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply