Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, (sculpture).

Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, (sculpture).

Niehaus, Charles Henry, 1855-1935, sculptor.

Harder, Julius F., architect.

Marsh, Israels & Harder, architectural firm.

Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder.

Maine & New Hampshire Granite Company, contractor.

Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, (sculpture).

Cast 1896. Dedicated June 21, 1900.

Digital Reference:

Figure: Bronze; Figure base: possibly white marble; Exedra: white granite with bronze reliefs and a ceramic mosaic niche.

Figure: approx. 6 x 2 1/2 x 3 ft.; Exedra: approx. 25 x 36 x 24 ft.; Each base relief panel: approx. H. 4 ft. W. l0 ft.

FEC '96 Gorham MFG Co/Founders (First left bronze relief:) C H Niehaus (Second left bronze relief:) C.H. Niehaus 1896 (First right bronze relief:) CH Niehaus 96 (Second right bronze relief:) CH Niehaus/FEC (Above niche:) HAHNEMANN (Base of figure:) SIMILIA/SIMUBUS/CURENTUR (Left side of figure:) AUDE SAPERE (Right side of figure:) NON INUTILIS VIXI (Below reliefs, right side:) IN OMNIBUS CARITAS (Below reliefs, left side:) DIE MILDE MAGHT IST GROSS (Left end post:) ERLANGEN/DESSAU (Right end post:) COETHEN/LEIPZIG (Back of exedra, center panel:) MCM/CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH SAMUEL HAHNEMANN/DOCTOR IN MEDICINE/HOFRATH/LEADER OF THE GREAT/MEDICAL REFORMATION/OF THE NINETEENTH/CENTURY/FOUNDER OF THE/HOMEOPATHIC SCHOOL (Back of exedra, right panel:) PARIS JULY 2 1843 (Back of exedra, left panel:) MEISSEN APRIL 11, 1755 signed Founder's mark appears.

An exedra with a central niche containing a seated figure of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. He is dressed in long robes and is seated with his proper right leg crossed over his proper left. His head rests against his proper right arm which rests on the right arm of the chair. His proper left arm rests along the left arm of the chair and in his left hand he holds a book. He is depicted with a slightly balding head and an expression of concentration as he stares down to his proper left. The top portion of the niche is covered with a decorative ceramic mosaic. Above the niche is a keystone lion head. To the top right of the niche is a relief of a snake wrapped around a chalice and to the top left is a relief of an open book and a chemist's bowl.

The niche is flanked by columns which support a top panel inscribed with HAHNEMANN. The inscription appearing on the base directly below the sculpture is Latin for: "Likes Are Cured By Like." The statue niche is flanked by pairs of bronze reliefs. The two bronze reliefs on the right side of the exedra depict Hahnemann as a student and as a chemist. The Latin inscription below the reliefs on the right side is translated as: "Gentle Power is Great." The two bronze reliefs on the left side of the exedra depict Hahnemann as a teacher and as a physician. The inscription below the reliefs on the left side is translated as: "In All Thing Charity." A shell motif appears on the exedra above each pair of reliefs. At each end of the exedra is a post adorned with a shield and lion head on the front and a large shell at the top. A set of four semi-circular steps led up to the exedra. On the back of the exedra, below the inscription panel, is a fountain basin with a bird-like fountain spout. Above the inscription panel is a relief of two nude figures, kneeling back to back.

Portrait male -- Hahnemann, Samuel -- Full length

Occupation -- Medicine -- Doctor

Occupation -- Science -- Chemist

Occupation -- Education -- Student

Occupation -- Education -- Teacher

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia

Located Scott Circle, Massachusetts Avenue & 16th Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia

Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) was a German physician who developed a branch of medicine known as homeopathy which would come to influence American medicine beginning in the 1830s. Hahnemann began his career in Germany where in 1789 in Leipzig, he discovered the "law of similars" which noted that diseases are cured by drugs which produce similar symptoms when given to a healthy person. His research into homeopathy and in smaller doses of drugs angered local druggists and in 1821 he left Leipzig for Paris where he remained until his death. This monument to Hahnemann was erected by the American Institute of Homeopathy at a cost 50,000 dollars. The names of the donors are placed in a container in the base. IAS files contain an excerpt from Jannelle Warren-Findley's August 1, 1985 report for the National Park Service entitled, "A Guide to Selected Statues, Monuments and Memorials," National Capital Parks - Central, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. (RFQ 3-4-1919) which includes a detailed history of the fountain's condition and conservation treatments, a list of bibliographic sources, and notes to additional information found in National Park Service files. Warren-Findley's report mentions that Goode's files note the medium of the figure's base may be white marble. Maine & New Hampshire Granite Company was responsible for the stonework.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, DC5016, 1989.

Monumental News, March 1895; July 1900.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 286.

Smithsonian Institution Research Expeditions Volunteer Project, 1991.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, H-12.

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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