Benito Juarez, (sculpture).

Benito Juarez, (sculpture).

Alciati, Enrique, ca. 1860-ca. 1925, sculptor.

Monasterio, Luis Ortiz, 1906-1990, sculptor.

Villasenor, Luis Sosa, architect.

Macedo, Louis Ortiz, architect.

Moreno, R., caster.

Roubin and Janeiro, contractor.

Fundidores Artisticos, founder.

Benito Juarez, (sculpture).

Benito Pablo Juarez (sculpture).

Original cast 1891. Recast 1969. Dedicated January 7, 1969.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: French Creek granite.

Sculpture: approx. 19 ft. x 9 ft. x 3 ft. 6 in.; Base: approx. 11 ft. x 11 ft. 9 in. x 11 ft. (3,600 lbs.).

A. CENCETFI (sic)/SCULTORE/ROME 1891 (Base, front:) Respect for the rights/of others is peace/Benito Juarez/1806 1872/The people of Mexico to the people/of the United States of America/El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz/Benito Juarez/1806 1872/el pueblo de Mexico al pueblo/de los estados unidos de america. (Names of architects appear on base, lower rear corner, along with DECEMBRE 1968) signed

Portrait of Benito Juarez standing with his proper right arm raised and pointing out into the distance. His proper left hand rest on a book on top of a low pedestal. The title of the book is "Reforma." He is dressed in a short double-breasted jacket with a long cape over his shoulders.

Portrait male -- Juarez, Benito -- Full length

Occupation -- Political -- President

Ethnic -- Mexican

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

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

Located Virginia Avenue & New Hampshire, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia

Benito Juarez (1806-1872) was known as the builder of modern Mexico. Juarez was a Zapotec Indian orphaned at age three who rose to governor of Oaxaca at age forty-one. He was a liberal who was forced to leave the country when Santa Anna seized the government in 1853. He returned when Santa Anna was overthrown and became minister of justice. When a rightist coup forced another over throw of the government, Juarez declared himself president and set up government in Vera Cruz and later was elected president. Following turmoil with Europe forces, Juarez was forced back to Vera Cruz until the U.S. demanded that the French withdraw occupying forces. Juarez then returned to Mexico City and was re-elected president in 1870.

Sculpture was a gift to the U.S. from the people of Mexico in exchange for a statue of Abraham Lincoln given by President Johnson. This statue of Benito Juarez was cast from the original which now stands in Oaxaca, Mexico. The original was cast in Rome by Nelli Foundry in 1891. The U.S. piece was authorized on October 17, 1968 and was cast at Fundidores Artisticos in Mexico City under the direction of R. Moreno. Luis Ortiz Monesterio was responsible for the plaster work. The base was designed in the U.S. and in the back is a hidden urn which contains soil from Guelatao, Oaxaca, the birthplace of Juarez. An inscription on the plaza directly behind the base reads: En este sitio fue depositada/tierra de Guelatao, Oaxaca,/lugar do origen del presidente/Benito Juarez/7 de enero de 1969.

IAS files contain an excerpt from Jannelle Warren-Findley's Aug. 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 brief list of bibliographic sources, and notes to additional information found in National Park Service files. The park service report also mentions that Goode's files contain a note that the sculpture was painted green to simulate patina. In shipping the sculpture to the U.S., the leg was cracked and an arm was almost severed. The sculpture was repaired by either U.S. or Mexican welders.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 479-480.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 479.

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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