The Roger Williams Monument, (sculpture)

Object Details

sculptor

Simmons, Franklin 1839-1913

founder

Royal Foundry

Subject

Williams, Roger

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Rhode Island survey, 1993.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

Doris, Virginia Louise, 1989.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, RI5009, 1989.

Freeman, Robert and Vivienne Lasky, "Hidden Treasure: Public Sculpture in Providence," Providence: Rhode Island Bicentennial Foundation, 1980, pg. 62-63.

Image on file.

Freeman, Robert and Vivienne Lasky, "Hidden Treasure: Public Sculpture in Providence," Providence: Rhode Island Bicentennial Foundation, 1980, pg. 62. (1907 photo)

(On plinth of male figure:) Gegossen durch Ferd. V. Miller d SCEHNE Munchen 1870 (Front of base:) Roger Williams/1636 (Back of base:) Erected/by the City of Providence/A.D. 1877 unsigned 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

Full-length portrait of Roger Williams in Colonial dress. He stands atop upper portion of granite base, which also features at lower end, a female figure of Clio (muse of History). Williams holds a book in his proper left hand and his proper right arm is extended outward. The words "Soul" and Liberty" are visible on his book. Clio, dressed in draped robe and sandals, faces the upper base. Her proper right arm is extended, and appears to be in the act of completing the inscription: Roger Williams/1636. Several bronze elements are missing from their original grouping at Clio's proper right: a scroll, book, laurel wreath, and a shield inscribed with an anchor, the state symbol.

Commissioned 1874. Dedicated Oct. 16, 1877

Control number

IAS 77001759

Type

Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture

Sculptures

Medium

Figures: bronze; Base: Westerly granite

Owner/Location

Administered by City of Providence Department of Parks Dalrymple Boathouse, Roger Williams Park Providence Rhode Island 02905

Located Roger Williams Park Near the Betsy Williams Cottage, Rose Avenue Providence Rhode Island

Title

Roger Williams, (sculpture)

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic

Portrait male--Full length

Occupation--Religion--Clergy

Mythology--Classical--Clio

Mythology--Classical--Muse

Allegory--Arts & Sciences--History

Object--Written Matter--Book

Record ID

siris_ari_12791

Metadata Usage (text)

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