Victory Eagle and Pylons, (sculpture)

Object Details

sculptor

Fredericks, Marshall M. 1908-1998

architectural firm

Harley, Ellington, and Day

Subject

Cadillac, Antoine de la Mothe

Richard, Gabriel

Pontiac, Chief

Lincoln, Abraham

Grant, Ulysses S

Roosevelt, Theodore

Dewey, George

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."

Culture

French

Indian

Dedicated 1949 or 1950

Control number

IAS 87840007

Type

Sculptures-Relief

Sculptures-Gate

Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture

Sculptures

Medium

Marble

Owner/Location

Administered by City of Detroit Civic Center Commission Detroit Michigan

Located Veterans Memorial Building 151 Civic Center Drive Detroit Michigan

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic

History--United States--Michigan

History--United States--Indian Wars

History--United States--Westward Expansion

History--United States--Spanish American War

History--United States--World War I

History--United States--World War II

Portrait male

Occupation--Other--Explorer

Ethnic

Occupation--Religion--Clergy

Occupation--Other--Chief

Ethnic--Ottawa

Occupation--Political--President

Occupation--Law--Lawyer

Occupation--Military--General

Occupation--Military--Colonel

Occupation--Writer--Author

Portrait male--Bust

Occupation--Military--Admiral

Figure female

Allegory--Other--Triumph

Figure--Fragment--Hand

Animal--Bird--Eagle

Record ID

siris_ari_298867

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply