All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, (sculpture).

All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, (sculpture).

Schweizer, J. Otto, 1863-1955, sculptor.

All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, (sculpture).

Installed May 30, 1934.

Digital Reference:

Figures: bronze; Base monument: granite.

Figures: approx. H. 6 ft.; Base monument: approx. 21 1/2 x 25 x 15 ft.

(Front, lower proper left:) J. Otto Schweizer Sculp (Rear, lower proper left:) Roman Bronze Works NY (Base, front lower section:) ERECTED BY THE/COMMONWEALTH OF/PENNSYLVANIA/IN HONOR OF HER/COLORED SOLDIERS (Base, proper left side:) AMERICAN REVOLUTION/CIVIL/INDIAN WARS (Base, proper right side:) SPANISH AMERICAN WAR/PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION/WORLD WAR (Base, rear:) TO COMMEMORATE/THE HEROISM AND SACRIFICE/OF ALL COLORED SOLDIERS WHO/SERVED IN THE VARIOUS WARS/ENGAGED IN BY/THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/THAT A LASTING RECORD/SHALL BE MADE OF THEIR/UNSELFISH DEVOTION TO DUTY/AS AN INSPIRATION/TO FUTURE GENERATIONS/THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED/MAY 30TH, 1934 (A list of commissioners follows) (Base, lower rear:) VIRTUE/LIBERTY AND/INDEPENDENCE signed Founder's mark appears.

The front of this vertical granite monument is adorned with an allegorical female figure representing "Justice" flanked by two groups of three African-American officers, soldiers and sailors representing those from Pennsylvania who served in American wars. The figure of Justice is dressed in long flowing robes and wears her hair pulled back and braided around her face. She stands on a low stepped platform holding up a small wreath in each hand to represent Honor and Reward. The African-American Servicemen are dressed in the uniforms of the various branches of the military. On the back of the monument four allegorical female figures, representing the principles for which wars are fought, flank a bronze tablet. On the proper left of the tablet stands "War" holding a shield and wearing a helmet. Next to her stands "Liberty" carrying a torch and wearing the headdress of the Statue of Liberty. On the proper right of the tablet stands "Peace" carrying a large palm frond. Next to her stands "Plenty" holding a filled cornucopia. The monument is topped with a bronze Torch of Life surrounded by four eagles.

Ethnic -- African American

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Occupation -- Military -- Sailor

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

History -- United States -- Black History

History -- United States -- Indian Wars

History -- United States -- Civil War

History -- United States -- Revolution

History -- United States -- World War I

History -- United States -- Spanish American War

Animal -- Bird -- Eagle

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Administered by City of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Commission, Memorial Hall, West Park, P. O. Box 21601, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131

Located Fairmount Park, West side of park, Lansdown Drive, near Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In 1927, the state of Pennsylvania appropriated fifty thousand dollars for the commission of this sculpture to recognize the patriotism of the African-American servicemen from all wars. IAS image files include a before and after image for conservation work.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

Public Monument Conservation Project, 1986.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 287.

Bach, Penny Balkin, "Public Art in Philadelphia", Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992, pg. 226.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia survey, 1993.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 287.

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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