Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 403.
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, K-10.
(Sculpture, rear right side near base:) LEO FRIEDLANDER (Sculpture, rear left side near base:) FOUNDARIE MARNELI FIRENZE (Front of base:) SACRIFICE/LEO FRIEDLANDER/SCULPTOR/CAST IN BRONZE MILAN 1950/A GIFT FROM THE PEOPLE OF ITALY/TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES 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:
One of two equestrian statues which flank the entrance to the bridge. Each statue depicts a nude male rider symbolic of the nation's defensive power. In Sacrifice, the male rider represents Mars, a symbol for the country's manpower. A nude female figure representing Mother Earth stands on the proper right of the rider. Her back is against the side of the horse. She looks up toward the rider. A small child is sandwiched between the back of the female figure's shoulders and the proper right leg of the rider. The rider reaches out to the child. The female figure reaches up with her proper right hand to hold the proper right arm of the child. A bit of drapery is wrapped around the back of the child and down over the proper left leg of the female figure. The base is adorned with a row of 36 stars which represent the number of states at the end of the Civil War. On the front of the base is a carved wreath.
