The Harvey S. Firestone Memorial, (sculpture).

The Harvey S. Firestone Memorial, (sculpture).

Fraser, James Earle, 1876-1953, sculptor.

De Lue, Donald, 1897-1988, sculptor.

Gugler, Eric, 1889-1974, designer.

The Harvey S. Firestone Memorial, (sculpture).

1950. Dedicated Aug. 3, 1950.

Digital Reference:

Portrait of Firestone: bronze; Relief panels: granite; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. 108 x 100 x 103 in.; Base: approx. 78 x 240 x 172 in.; Exedra: approx. L. 120 ft.

(Along lower edge of proper left side of Firestone sculpture, raised letters:) JAMES EARLE FRASER SC 1950 (Inscribed on exedra:) Courageous Leader And Pioneer/He Transformed A Gift of Nature/To The Benefit Of All Mankind // Warmly Loved By His Fellowman/He Was Rich In Friendships // The Inspiration Of His Life/Is An Enduring Heritage // Devoted To Church And Home/He Brought Out The Best In Others/And He Gave The Best Of Himself

Portrait of Harvey S. Firestone seated on chair atop granite base with bowed, curved front. He is dressed in long coat, vest and tie. Behind the statue is a granite exedra with six allegorical relief panels. The panels depict: Contemplation, a young man resting on a sheaf of wheat, symbol of farm and country contemplating the eternal things of life, symbolized by the sun and revolving spheres. Invention (or inspiration) is represented by a crouching female figure spuring man's genius on and a horse, symbol of horsepower. The Hours are represented by a reclining young woman holding an hourglass in her hands, symbol of life and goodness by whose light we measure time. The Years are represented by a young man in full prime and vigor of life, representing the best in man, the achievement of good, seen with a flame symbolizing the mortal span of life, and a bird, the passing of seasons and years. Leadership is represented by a figure surrounded by symbols of the heavens suggesting an inspired state of mind. Fruition (or achievement) is represented by a male figure who holds a wheel, with a draped rock, symbol of the enduring rock structure of Earth, and flames representing modern industry and symbolizing the House of Firestone.

Portrait male -- Firestone, Harvey S. -- Full length

Allegory -- Other -- Thought

Allegory -- Other -- Imagination

Allegory -- Quality -- Excellence

Allegory -- Time -- Hour

Animal -- Horse

Landscape -- Rocks

Object -- Foliage -- Wheat

Object -- Other -- Wheel

Landscape -- Celestial

Outdoor Sculpture -- Ohio -- Akron

Bridgestone Firestone Inc., 1200 Firestone Parkway, Adjacent to Research Building, Akron, Ohio 44301

A monument to Harvey S. Firestone (1868-1938). The memorial was designed by Eric Gugler. The portrait of Firestone was created by James Earle Fraser. Donald De Lue designed and created the allegorical relief panels. The dedication of the monument took place on August 3rd, 1950, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. IAS files contain copy of dedication booklet and excerpt from Karl H. Grismer's "Akron and Summit County," Summit County Historical Society, 1925, pg. 602, which gives history of monument. IAS files contain image only of Firestone and one of the allegorical panels.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Ohio survey, 1993.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

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.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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