Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Sculptor:
Gage, Merrell 1892-1981  Search this
Medium:
Plaques: bronze, with patina; Boulder: granite
Culture:
Indian  Search this
Type:
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures-Boulder
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
Owner/Location:
Administered by City of Kansas City, Missouri Planning Services Division 4600 East 63rd Street Kansas City Missouri 64130
Located Traffic island at intersection between 40th Street & 40th Terrace, Broadway & Washington Street Kansas City Missouri
Date:
1920. Dedicated Oct. 10, 1920
Notes:
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Missouri, Kansas City survey, 1993.
Board of Parks & Recreation Commissioners, Kansas City, MO, "Historic & Dedicatory Monuments of Kansas City," 1987, pg. 76.
Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.
Image on file.
Board of Parks & Recreation Commissioners, Kansas City, MO,"Historic & Dedicatory Monuments of Kansas City," 1987, pg. 76.
(On plaque on east side of boulder, in upper proper left corner, raised:) TO THE/PIONEER/MOTHER (On plaque on east side of boulder, on lower proper left side:) R.M.GAGE/1920 (On plaque on west side of boulder, centered above seal, raised:) DAUGHTERS OF OLD/WESTPORT (On plaque on west side of boulder, at lower proper right of seal:) 1832 (On plaque on west side of boulder, at lower proper left of seal:) 1920 (On plaque on west side of boulder, below seal:) ERECTED BY THE/DAUGHTERS OF OLD/WESTPORT IN HONOR/OF THE PIONEERS/OF WESTPORT signed
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:
Two bronze plaques are attached to a granite boulder. The plaque on the east side of the boulder features a relief of a mother and her two children. The mother faces her proper left, holding a small baby and a rifle. A small child, facing proper left, stands on the proper right side of the mother. The plaque on the west side of the boulder features a relief of the seal of the Daughters of Old Westport. Near the top of the seal on each side is a small steer's head. On the proper right side is a seated trapper holding a hunting gun on his lap, pointed proper left. On the proper left side is an Indian, facing proper right, trading a skin to the trapper. Both plaques also contain inscriptions.
Topic:
Figure group--Family--Mother & Child  Search this
Occupation--Other--Pioneer  Search this
Occupation--Hunter--Trapper  Search this
Ethnic  Search this
History--United States--Westward Expansion  Search this
Emblem  Search this
Object--Weapon--Gun  Search this
Control number:
IAS 76000908
Data Source:
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_ari_1542