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Catalog Data

Sculptor:
Fredericks, Marshall M. 1908-1998  Search this
Architectural firm:
Harley, Ellington, and Day  Search this
Subject:
Cadillac, Antoine de la Mothe  Search this
Richard, Gabriel  Search this
Pontiac, Chief  Search this
Lincoln, Abraham  Search this
Grant, Ulysses S  Search this
Roosevelt, Theodore  Search this
Dewey, George  Search this
Medium:
Marble
Culture:
French  Search this
Indian  Search this
Type:
Sculptures-Relief
Sculptures-Gate
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
Owner/Location:
Administered by City of Detroit Civic Center Commission Detroit Michigan
Located Veterans Memorial Building 151 Civic Center Drive Detroit Michigan
Date:
Dedicated 1949 or 1950
Notes:
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Michigan survey, 1993.
Nawrocki, Dennis Alan, "Art in Detroit Public Places," Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1980, pg. 52.
Detroit Historical Museum, City of Detroit Monuments, 2004.
Image on file.
Nawrocki, Dennis Alan, "Art in Detroit Public Places," Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1980, pg. 53.
(On wall below eagle:) In honored memory of those who gave their lives for their country (On pylon with Spanish American War Scenes, framing bust of Dewey, incised:) THE GIFT/OF THE/PEOPLE OF THE/UNITED STATES/TO THE OFFICERS/AND MEN OF THE/ASIATIC SQUADRON/UNDER THE COMMAND/OF COMMODORE/GEORGE DEWEY (On pylon with Spanish American War Scenes, around male figure, incised:) IN.MEMORY.OF.THE.VICTORY.OF.MANILA.BAY./MAY 1 1898 (On pylon with symbolic female figure, incised:) TO MAKE THE WORLD SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY (On pylon with large hand fragment, incised:) BLEST WITH VICTORY/AND PEACE. IN GOD/IS OUR TRUST
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 simplified eagle with its wings spread clutching laurel and palm leaves in its claws is attached to the side of the building. Along a walkway to the west there are seven marble pylons depicting historical military events that are significant to war veterans in Detroit. They depict: "Father Richard with the explorer Cadillac at the founding of Detroit; Chief Pontiac signing the peace treaty ending the Indian War; Admiral Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812; President Lincoln and General Grant; Theodore Roosevelt and Commodore Dewey in Spanish American War Scenes; and a symbolic female figure with the World War I slogan 'To Make the World Safe for Democracy.' The Seventh pylon refers to the end of World War II, with incised hand, branch, stars, and patriotic inscriptions."
Topic:
History--United States--Michigan  Search this
History--United States--Indian Wars  Search this
History--United States--Westward Expansion  Search this
History--United States--Spanish American War  Search this
History--United States--World War I  Search this
History--United States--World War II  Search this
Portrait male  Search this
Occupation--Other--Explorer  Search this
Ethnic  Search this
Occupation--Religion--Clergy  Search this
Occupation--Other--Chief  Search this
Ethnic--Ottawa  Search this
Occupation--Political--President  Search this
Occupation--Law--Lawyer  Search this
Occupation--Military--General  Search this
Occupation--Military--Colonel  Search this
Occupation--Writer--Author  Search this
Portrait male--Bust  Search this
Occupation--Military--Admiral  Search this
Figure female  Search this
Allegory--Other--Triumph  Search this
Figure--Fragment--Hand  Search this
Animal--Bird--Eagle  Search this
Control number:
IAS 87840007
Data Source:
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_ari_298867