(Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, South Entrance Portal Relief Figures,) (sculpture).

(Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, South Entrance Portal Relief Figures,) (sculpture).

Lawrie, Lee Oskar, 1877-1963, sculptor.

McShain, John, contractor.

Maginnis, Walsh and Kennedy, architectural firm.

(Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, South Entrance Portal Relief Figures,) (sculpture).

Dedicated Nov. 20. 1959.

Digital Reference:

Reliefs: stone.

8 reliefs. Each relief: approx. H. 8 ft. W. 3 ft.

(Beneath top relief, left side:) IN THREE SHALL/ALL BE BLESSED (Beneath second relief, left side:) LET US SING/TO THE LORD (Beneath third relief, left side:) THY PEOPLE SHALL/BE MY PEOPLE (Beneath bottom relief, left side:) FOR THOU ART/A HOLY WOMAN (Beneath top relief, right side:) TO BRING THEE/GOOD TIDINGS (Beneath second relief, right side:) MY EYES HAVE SEEN/THY SALVATION (Beneath third relief, right side:) MARY HATH CHOSEN/THE BEST PART (Beneath bottom relief, right side:) I KNOW THAT THE MESSIAHS COMETH unsigned

Eight panels which frame the center doors on the south side of the shrine. Four reliefs are positioned vertically on each side of the entrance. Each relief depicts full-length, draped figures illustrating scenes from the story of the Annunciation. The reliefs on the left side of the doors depict figures from the Old Testament and the reliefs on the right side of the doors depict figures from the New Testament. An inscription appears beneath each of the reliefs.

Top relief, left side depicts a standing male draped from the waist and a female figure seated on some steps. The two figures look into each others eyes. Second relief, left side depicts a standing male figure playing a flute next to a standing female figure holding a tambourine. The third relief, left side depicts a standing male figure carrying a staff in his proper right hand. His proper left arm is around the shoulders of a female figure standing on his proper left holding a sickle in her proper right hand. His head is tilted in the direction of the female figure. The bottom relief, left side depicts a standing female figure with upraised hands accompanied by a female figure playing cymbals. The head of an elderly male figure appears at their feet. The top relief, right side depicts a standing male figure holding a cross in his proper left hand. He raises his proper right hand over the head of a seated female figure on his proper right. She looks up at him and raises her proper left arm. The second relief, right side depicts two standing male figures looking up at the heavens. The bearded figure on the right raises both of his arms upward. The third relief, right side depicts two standing female figures facing each other. The bottom relief, right side depicts a standing female figure followed by an elderly male beggar, a Roman soldier, and a younger man. The figures represented on the left are Sarah and Isaac, Mary, the sister of Moses and Moses, Ruth and Naomi, Judith and her maidens. The figures represented on the right are John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Anne and Simeon, Mary and Martha, and the Samaritan woman with the people of Samaria.

Religion -- New Testament -- Mary

Religion -- New Testament -- Martha

Religion -- New Testament -- Good Samaritan

Religion -- Saint -- St. John

Religion -- Saint -- St. Anne

Religion -- Saint -- St. Simeon

Religion -- Old Testament -- Sarah

Religion -- Old Testament -- Isaac

Religion -- Old Testament -- Moses

Religion -- Old Testament -- Naomi

Religion -- Old Testament -- Ruth

Religion -- Old Testament -- Judith

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Tambourine

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Cymbal

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Flute

Emblem -- Cross

Architectural component

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Michigan Avenue & 4th Street, N.E., South Entance Portal, flanking center doors, Washington, District of Columbia

Title supplied by Inventory cataloger.

Planning for the Shrine began in 1914 and selection of the architectural firm, Maginnis and Walsh (later Maginnis Walsh and Kennedy) was made in 1919. Construction began in 1922, but the Shrine was not finished until 1959. It was dedicated on Nov. 20, 1959. John McShain was the principal builder of the Shrine. The Annunciation is the overall theme for most of the sculpture which appears on the south entrance portal. IAS image files contain one overall photograph of the all eight reliefs. Inventory files contain photocopies of images for: I know that the Messiahs cometh, For thou art a holy woman, Mary hath chosen the best part, and Thy people shall be my people.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide", Washington, D.C., Smithsonian Institution Press 1974, pg. 330-331.

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, I-9.

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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