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Catalog Data

Sculptor:
Piccirilli, Attilio 1866-1945  Search this
Architect:
Magonigle, Harold Van Buren 1867-1935  Search this
Contractor:
J. L. Ward Company  Search this
Medium:
Fountain basin: Milford granite; Figure groups and sarcophagus: Knoxville marble; Bas-relief: bronze
Type:
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures-Fountain
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
Owner/Location:
Administered by City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation The Arsenal - Central Park New York New York 10021
Located Riverside Park Riverside Drive & West 100th Street New York New York
Date:
Dedicated September 1913
Notes:
Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.
The City of New York, Department of Parks, 1941.
Gayle, Margot & Michele Cohen, "Guide to Manhattan's Outdoor Sculpture," New York: Prentice Hall, 1988, pg. 285.
National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, NY0048, 1989.
Lederer, Joseph, "All Around the Town: A Walking Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in New York City," New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975.
Monumental News, Feb. 1910; Jan. 1914.
Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York, New York survey, 1993.
Image on file.
Gayle, Margot & Michele Cohen, "Guide to Manhattan's Outdoor Sculpture," New York: Prentice Hall, 1988, pg. 285.
Monumental News, Jan. 1914, pg. 19 and cover.
(On right corner of bronze relief:) ATTILLIO PICCIRILLI SCULPTOR (On sarcophagus, fountain basin side:) TO THE HEROIC DEAD OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (On sarcophagus, back:) TO THE MEN OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT/OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK/WHO DIED AT THE CALL FO DUTY/SOLDERS IN A WAR THAT NEVER ENDS/THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED BY THE PEOPLE OF A GRATEFUL CITY/ERECTED MCMXII (On bronze plaque set into the pavement in front of the fountain basin:) MAY 1927/THIS TABLET IS DEDICATED TO THE HORSES THAT SHARED/IN VALOR AND DEVOTION/AND WITH MIGHTY SPEED/BORE ON THE RESCUE/SUBSCRIBED/UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE/AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION/OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 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:
The central element is a sarcophagus with a large bronze bas-relief depicting a fire engine drawn by galloping horses. The sarcophagus is flanked by allegorical figures representing Duty and Sacrifice. Duty is a seated female holding a fireman's cap and embracing a child. Sacrifice is a female holding in her arms a dead fireman. The monument also includes an approach of steps, a platform with balustrade, and a fountain basin.
Topic:
Animal--Horse  Search this
Architecture--Vehicle--Fire Engine  Search this
Allegory--Quality--Fortitude  Search this
Allegory--Quality--Obedience  Search this
Figure group--Female & Child  Search this
Figure male  Search this
Occupation--Service--Fireman  Search this
Control number:
IAS 76003498
Data Source:
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_ari_7656