Our Gallant Dead, (sculpture) | Smithsonian Institution

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Object Details

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Indiana survey, 1993.; Image on file.; (On facade over tympanum between St. Joan and St. Michael, raised lettering:) OUR.GALLANT.DEAD unsigned; 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: War memorial entrance to Sacred Heart Basilica features a tympanum flanked by the figures of St. Joan and St. Michael in niches. The peaked tympanum contains a shield decorated with two crossed anchors flanked by twin eagles in three-quarter profile. Each eagle faces away from the shield with inside wing behind the shield. Four small busts of military personnel appear below. Depicted, from left to right, are: a male with a bedroll behind his back; a military nurse or nun; a military chaplain; and a doughboy in helmet.; Flanking the tympanum on the left is St. Joan, clad in armor, standing with a lamb in her arms. On the right, St. Michael stands on a dragon with wings in a retracted position. Clad in armor, St. Michael holds the tip of sword on the dragon.

Tympanum: 1923-1924. St. Joan and St. Michael: installed 1944

Type: Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture; Sculptures-Architectural component; Sculptures-Relief; Sculptures

Owner/Location: University of Notre Dame Sacred Heart Basilica, War Memorial Door, east entrance Notre Dame Indiana 46556

Title: St. Joan of Arc and St. Michael, (sculpture); Notre Dame World War I Memorial, (sculpture)

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic: History--United States--World War I; Religion--Saint--St. Joan of Arc; Religion--Saint--St. Michael; Dress--Historic--Armor; Fantasy--Dragon; Animal--Sheep; Object--Weapon--Sword; Animal--Bird--Eagle; Occupation--Military--Soldier; Occupation--Medicine--Nurse; Occupation--Religion--Nun; Occupation--Religion--Clergy