Oscar S. Straus Memorial Fountain, (sculpture).

Oscar S. Straus Memorial Fountain, (sculpture).

Weinman, Adolph A., 1870-1952, sculptor.

Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937, architect.

Eggers Group Architects, architectural firm.

Oscar S. Straus Memorial Fountain, (sculpture).

1947. Dedicated Oct. 26, 1947. Relocated 1997.

Digital Reference:

Fountain and figure groups: bronze; Base: granite.

1 fountain, 2 figure groups. (Each figure group:) 5 ft. x 5 ft. 6 in. x 11 ft. 6 in.

(On fountain:) Statesman, Author, Diplomat (On figure group representing Justice :) Our Liberty of Worship Is Not A Concession Nor a Privilege But An Inherent Right. (On figure group representing Reason:) The Voice of Reason Is More To Be Regarded Than The Light Of Any Present Inclination.

The monument consists of three parts, a three-tired fountain in the center flanked by two allegorical figure groups, one representing Justice, the other representing Reason. The figure group on the left representing Justice and Religious Freedom consists of a reclining draped figure holding a tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments. Behind the figure of Justice, a child holds open the Book of Religion. The figure group on the right representing Reason, consists of a reclining draped male figure holding a purse, a key, and a hammer, symbolic of Capital and Labor. Behind the figure of Reason is a kneeling child.

Allegory -- Civic -- Liberty

Allegory -- Other -- Thought

Allegory -- Religion

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Industry

Figure group -- Nude

Homage -- Straus, Oscar

Occupation -- Political -- Secretary of Commerce

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States General Services Administration, Washington, District of Columbia

Located Interior courtyard of Federal Triangle, 14th & Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia

The fountain and allegorical figure groups were created as a memorial to Oscar S. Straus (1854-1926). Straus immigrated to the United States in 1854, and became active in public service. He was U.S. Minister and then Ambassador to Turkey between 1887 and 1910; a Member of the Hague Court of Arbitration from 1902 to 1926, and served from 1906 to 1910 as Secretary of Commerce and Labor under President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1929, Congress authorized the erection of a memorial to Straus in Washington, with the site to be donated by the U.S. government and private funds paying the cost of the memorial. John Russell Pope was chosen to design the memorial, and in 1931 Weinman was selected to create its sculptural elements.

After Pope's death in 1937, the firm of Eggers and Higgins took over the architectural components of the program. Site controversies and the Depression delayed the building of the memorial and in January 1941, a simplified design was submitted. Because of World War II restrictions on bronze casting, production of the sculpture was postponed until 1946. The sculptures were completed and installed the following year, and dedicated on October 26, 1947.

In 1991, the sculptures were removed because of building construction. They were cleaned, repaired and conserved, and in 1997 were reinstalled close to their original location. IAS files contain pamphlet from GSA's Art-in-Architecture Program, "The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center," n.d., which gives a brief history of the memorial.

United States General Services Administration, 1988.

Gurney, George, "Sculpture and the Federal Triangle," Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985, pg. 403-411.

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

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, D-30.

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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