Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, (sculpture)

Object Details

sculptor

Cauer, Robert b. 1863

founder

Unknown (Lauchhammer, Germany)

Subject

Jahn, Friedrich Ludwig

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Missouri, St. Louis survey, 1993.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, MO5038, 1989.

McCue, George, "Sculpture City: St. Louis," New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1988, pg. 74, 76.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

Monumental News (May 1913).

Image on file.

(On granite plaque on center front base:) FRIEDRICH LUDWIG/JAHN/THE FATHER OF/SYSTEMATIC/PHYSICAL CULTURE (On upper plaque, proper right plinth:) DEDICATED BY THE/NORD AMERICANISHEN/TURNERBUND/OCTOBER 1913 (On lower plaque, proper right plinth:) AMERICAN TURNERS SOUND MIND/SOUND BODY/REDEDICATED/AUGUST 15, 1972/AMERICAN TURNERS (On upper plaque, proper left plinth:) DEDICATED BY THE/NORTH AMERICAN/GYMNASTIC UNION/OCT. 1913 (On lower plaque, proper left plinth:) RESTORED 1989/BY/THE AMERICAN TURNERS/AND/FOREST PARK FOREVER (On the base, behind the exedra is a series of six polished black granite plaques, each inscribed with an owl and laurel leaves in the center, and the names of several American geographical regions) (On proper right side of bronze plinth of female figure:) ROBERT CAUER/DARMSTADT (On proper left side of bronze plinth of female figure:) geg: LAUCHHAMMER (On proper left side of bronze plinth of male figure:) ROBERT CAUER/DARMSTADT (On proper right side of bronze plinth of male figure:) geg: LAUCHHAMMER (On proper right side of reverse of bust:) ROBERT CAUER/DARMSTADT (On proper left side of reverse of bust:) geg: LAUCHHAMMER 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

Bronze bust of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn atop center of long semicircular limestone base, with the full-length bronze figure of a male shotputter at the proper right end of the base, and the full-length bronze figure of a female dancing in gym uniform at the proper left end of the base. Jahn is shown as a balding older gentleman with long hair and a long flowing beard. The male shotputter at proper right is posed in the act of throwing the putt. The female at proper left wears a t-shirt and bloomers, and appears to be dancing with a baton. There are three large granite steps in front of the monument, leading to a semicircular plaza. Around the edge of the plaza are limestone benches forming an exedra.

Culture

German

Dedicated Oct. 11, 1913. Rededicated 1972. Rededicated 1989

Control number

IAS 76000987

Type

Sculptures-Exedra

Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture

Sculptures

Medium

Bust: bronze; Figures: bronze; Base: limestone and grey granite

Owner/Location

Administered by City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry 5600 Clayton Avenue St. Louis Missouri 63110

Located Forest Park North of Northwest Entrance to Zoo, West of Post-Dispatch Lake St. Louis Missouri

Title

Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Memorial, (sculpture)

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic

Portrait male--Bust

Ethnic

Recreation--Sport & Play

Record ID

siris_ari_1618

Metadata Usage (text)

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