Figures: bronze; Shaft: Maine pink granite; Foundation: concrete
Type:
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures
Owner/Location:
Administered by United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Washington District of Columbia
Located Indiana Plaza 7th & C Streets, N.W Washington District of Columbia
Date:
Dedicated July 3, 1909
Notes:
Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985
National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, DC0061, 1989.
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 360.
Monumental News, April and July 1908; Jan. 1910.
Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.
Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.
Image on file.
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, J-2.
ROMAN BRONZE WORKS N.Y. (Upper portion of granite shaft:) 1861 1865 (Lower front of granite shaft, raised letters:) GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC/ORGANIZED AT DECATUR ILLINOIS, APRIL 6, 1866/BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STEPHENSON M.D. (Below figures on front:) FRATERNITY (Below figures on northeast: CHARITY (Below figures on southeast: LOYALTY 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:
A three sided shaft composed of granite blocks is adorned with high relief bronze figures on each side. On the front side, a Union soldier stands holding a gun in his proper right hand. To his proper left, a sailor stands holding the United States flag. The word FRATERNITY appears below the two figures. Below this is a bronze medallion with a relief bust of Dr. Benjamin Stephenson installed in a circular niche. Stephenson has a beard and moustache, and is dressed in his military uniform. The niche is adorned with foliage around the bottom.
On the northeast side of the memorial there is a female figure dressed in long robes tied at the bust, and a cape spread out around her. Inside the folds of her cape she protects a small child standing on her proper left. Her proper left hand reaches down and touches the child's proper left shoulder. The word CHARITY appears below the two figures.
On the southeast side of the memorial, a female figure stands holding a shield and a sword. The word LOYALTY appears below the figure. The inscription on the front near the base is flanked by a pair of Grand Army of the Republic emblems --an eagle atop a crest resting on a five-pointed star.
