James Garfield Monument, (sculpture)

Object Details

sculptor

Ward, John Quincy Adams 1830-1910

architect

Hunt, Richard Morris 1827-1895

founder

Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company

Subject

Garfield, James A

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, DC0052, 1989.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 249-259.

Sharp, Lewis I., "John Quincy Adams Ward Dean of American Sculpture," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1985, no. 78.

Monumental News, June 1894, pg. 281.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.

Image on file.

Sharp, Lewis I., "John Quincy Adams Ward Dean of American Sculpture," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1985, pl. XIX, XX, XXI, pg. 225.

Monumental News, June 1894, pg. 280.

(On Garfield statue:) J.Q.A. WARD/SCULP./1887/THE HENRY-BONNARD BRONZE CO./NEW YORK (On speech held in Garfield's proper left hand:) Law, Justice, Prosperity (On each base figure:) J.Q.A. WARD/Sculp. (Base, top section, front:) JAMES. A. GARFIELD/1831-1881 (Base, top section, left side:) MAJOR-GENERAL U-S-V,/MEMBER OF CONGRESS,/SENATOR,/AND/PRESIDENT/OF THE/UNITED/STATES/OF/AMERICA (Base, top section, right side:) ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES/OF THE/SOCIETY OF THE ARMY/OF THE/CUMBERLAND/MAY 18, 1887 signed Founder's mark appears.

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

The figure of Garfield stands at the top of a tall multi-tiered base installed on a road on the grounds of the U. S. Capitol. He is dressed in a suit and overcoat. His hair is long and wavy, and he has a beard and moustache. To his proper right is a short draped column with an open book on top. Garfield's proper right hand rests on top of the open book. His proper left arm is bent up to his chest and in his proper left hand he holds a copy of his inaugural address inscribed with the words "Law, Justice, Prosperity." The elaborate Baroque-styled base is adorned with three seated allegorical figures of Roman males which represent Garfield's three successful careers as a scholar, soldier, and statesman. One figure, the scholar, is a young man wearing a short tunic with a cape draped over his proper left shoulder. He is barefoot and reads from an unscrolled paper located on his proper left side. The second figure, the soldier, is an older, bearded figure wearing long boots, a fur tunic, and a fur hat. This figure pulls a sword out with his proper right hand as he looks over his proper right shoulder. The third figure, the statesman, is dressed in a long robe and sandals. He supports a tablet with his proper right hand. The words "Law Justice Prosperity" appear on the tablet. Above the head of each base figure is a plaque adorned with swords and globes.

Dedicated May 18, 1887

Control number

IAS 76008188

Type

Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture

Sculptures

Medium

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite or marble

Owner/Location

Administered by United States Capitol Architect of the Capitol Washington District of Columbia

Located United States Capitol First Street & Maryland Avenue, S.W Washington District of Columbia 20201

Title

President James Abram Garfield Memorial, (sculpture)

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic

Portrait male--Full length

Occupation--Political--President

Figure group--Male

Occupation--Political--Statesman

Occupation--Military--Soldier

Occupation--Education--Student

Dress--Historic--Classical Dress

Allegory--Life

Object--Written Matter--Book

Object--Written Matter--Speech

Record ID

siris_ari_18953

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply