The Smith Memorial: Architectural Reliefs, (sculpture).

The Smith Memorial: Architectural Reliefs, (sculpture).

Rhind, John Massey, 1860-1936, sculptor.

Windrim, James H., 1840-1919, architect.

Windrim, John T., architect.

The Smith Memorial: Architectural Reliefs, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Reliefs: stone.

8 reliefs. Each relief: approx. 9 x 7 x 1 ft.

The name of each allegorical figure appears directly below each relief: VICTORY; ARMY; STRENGTH; FAME; NAVY; PEACE; HEROISM; COURAGE.

The Smith Memorial stands at the entrance to the west side of Fairmount Park and consists of two curving, neobaroque arches adorned with thirteen individual portrait sculptures (2 equestrians, 3 figures, and 8 busts); two eagles standing on globes; and architectural reliefs of 8 allegorical figures. The architectural reliefs appear in the spandrels of each arch on both sides of the memorial. Each relief depicts a winged female figure adorned in long flowing drapery and carrying allegorical symbols. The figures face each other across the top of each arch and each extends one wing toward the other.

1) Victory holds branches in her bent proper right arm and a small figure in her extended proper left hand. 2) Army, across from Victory, holds a sword with her proper right hand and a flagpole and furled flag in her proper left hand. 3) Fame holds feathers/branches in her bent proper right arm and blows on a trumpet which she holds in her proper left hand. 4) Strength, across from Fame, stands in front of a tree and holds a dragon in her extended proper right hand. A fasces, the Roman symbol of power, rests at her proper left side. 5) Navy holds two naval symbols, one in each hand. 6) Peace, across from Navy, holds branches out in her extended proper right hand and a dove in her proper right hand. Chains are visible near her feet. 7) Courage holds a glove out in her extended proper left hand and with her proper right hand she holds a sword down at her side. Behind her is an inscribed plaque which is partially obscured by her drapery. 8) Heroism, across from Courage, stretches out her proper right arm and holds a torch under her proper left arm. Behind her is an inscribed plaque which partially obscured by her drapery.

Figure female -- Full length

Allegory -- Other -- Triumph

Allegory -- Quality -- Fortitude

Allegory -- Civic -- Military

Allegory -- Civic -- Peace

Object -- Weapon -- Sword

Object -- Musical Instrument -- Trumpet

Fantasy -- Dragon

Animal -- Bird -- Dove

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Coadministered by City of Philadelphia, Fairmount Park Commission, Memorial Hall, West Park, P. O. Box 21601, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131

Coadministered by Fidelity Bank, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Located Fairmount Park, West side of park, North Concourse Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Inscription on memorial reads: THIS/ MONUMENTAL MEMORIAL/ PRESENTED BY/ RICHARD SMITH/ TYPE FOUNDER/ OF PHILADELPHIA -/ IN MEMORY OF/ PENNSYLVANIANS WHO/ TOOK PART IN THE CIVIL WAR/ THEIR STRIFE WAS NOT FOR/ AGGRANDIZEMENT AND WHEN/ CONFLICT CEASED THE NORTH/ WITH THE SOUTH UNITED AGAIN/ TO ENJOY THE COMMON HERITAGE/ LEFT BY THE FATHERS OF OUR/ COUNTRY RESOLVING THAT/ THEREAFTER ALL OUR PEOPLE/ SHOULD DWELL TOGETHER/ IN UNITY.

In 1891, Richard Smith (1821-1894), a wealthy Philadelphia electroplate and type founder, created a will which provided $500,000 for a memorial arch to be adorned with portraits of Pennsylvania's Civil War military and naval heroes. Smith deposited the model and designs for the memorial with the Fidelity Insurance Trust and Safe Deposit Company and stipulated that John B. Gest, president of Fidelity, should handle his request; that the architectural designs and construction should be handled by Philadelphia architect James H. Windrim; and that the selection and supervision of sculptors for the specified portraits should be handled by the Fairmount Park Art Association. The will went into effect upon the death of Smith's wife in 1895, but it was not until 1897 that the Fairmount Park Art Association began work on selecting the sculptors. On May 8, 1898, the initial commissions were awarded, but it took until 1912 before the last sculpture was completed and installed on the arch. The Fairmount Park Art Association publication includes images of only Navy, Peace, and Courage.

Public Monument Conservation Project, 1986.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 168-179.

Bach, Penny Balkin, "Public Art in Philadelphia," Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992, pg. 208.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia survey, 1993.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 170-171.

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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