We Are the Light of the World, (sculpture).

We Are the Light of the World, (sculpture).

Kormendi, Eugene, 1889-1959, sculptor.

Thomas H. Locraft Associates, architectural firm.

We Are the Light of the World, (sculpture).

Christ, the Light of the World, (sculpture).

Presented April 28, 1949. Relocated 1988.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Bases: stone.

Sculpture: approx. H. 22 ft. (10 tons).

(Base:) I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD/WE ARE

Standing figure of Christ dressed in long robes and cape. His hair is long and straight. His proper right hand is raised and points to the sky. His proper left hand holds a scroll at waist level.

Religion -- New Testament -- Christ

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

National Catholic Welfare Conference, 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, District of Columbia

Formerly located National Catholic Welfare Conference, 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 1949-1988.

Plans to create the sculpture were begun with a fund raising effort in 1936 by Catholic Bishop, John F. Noll of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Over $115,000 was collected by the Catholic newspaper, "Our Sunday Visitor," over a period of twelve years. The sculpture was first installed at the National Catholic Welfare Conference building on Massachusetts Avenue, but was move in 1988 to the organizations's new building on 4th Street. IAS files contain a related article from the Washington Post, Sept. 17, 1988, which includes photos of the sculpture as it was being removed from its former site. Goode publication contains an image of the sculpture when it was installed at the former location of the National Catholic Welfare Conference on Massachusetts Avenue.

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. 282.

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, pg. 282.

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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