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Fraser, James Earle,
Aitken, Robert,
Ricci, Ulysses Anthony,
Pope, John Russell,
Indiana Limestone Company,
Allegory -- Civic
Allegory -- Other
Animal -- Bird
Emblem -- Seal
Allegory -- Civic
Allegory -- Civic
Relief
Architectural component
Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington
Sculpture
Medallions on National Archives, (sculpture).
Artist:
Fraser, James Earle, 1876-1953, sculptor.
Aitken, Robert, 1878-1949, sculptor.
Ricci, Ulysses Anthony, 1888-1960, sculptor.
Pope, John Russell, 1874-1937, architect.
Indiana Limestone Company, fabricator.
Title:
Medallions on National Archives, (sculpture).
Other Titles:
Seals of the Federal Government, (sculpture).
Dates:
1931-1934.
Digital Reference:
Medium:
Indiana limestone.
Dimensions:
13 medallions. Each medallion: Diam. 8 ft.
Inscription:
(On building, between Commerce and Interior:) THIS BUILDING HOLDS IN TRUST THE RECORDS OF OUR NATIONAL LIFE AND SYMBOLIZES OUR FAITH IN TH EPERMANENCY OF OUR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (On building, between Agriculture and Justice:) THE GLORY AND ROMANCE OF OUR HISTORY ARE HERE PRESERVED IN THE CHRONICLES OF THOSE WHO CONCEIVED AND BUILT THE STRUCTURE OF OUR NATION
Description:
Around the roofline of the building there are thirteen medallions representing the U.S. seal and the twelve federal agencies with records held at the National Archives. The medallions depict: (Pennsylvania Avenue side of building) 1) Labor, a figure with a hammer, an anvil, and the wheel of progress; 2) House of Representatives, a figure with a mace, documents, and books; 3) Eagle seal; 4) Senate, a figure with the fasces of government, and a book containing the laws of the land; 5) Post Office, a figure with a mailbag and a winged sphere, signifying speed in transmission of the mail; 6) Agriculture, a figure holding a sickle and sheaf of wheat; (Ninth Street side of building) 7) Justice, a figure holding a book of laws and the reins of guidance; (Constitution Avenue side of building) 9) War, a figure leaning against a sword; 9) State, a figure with parchments and documents; 10) Treasury, a figure symbolic of the monetary wealth of the nation; 11) Navy, a figure with a ship; 12) Commerce, a figure holding articles relating to trade; 12) Interior, a figure representing the attributes of natural resources.
Subject:
Allegory -- Civic -- War
Allegory -- Other -- Trade
Animal -- Bird -- Eagle
Emblem -- Seal
Allegory -- Civic -- Democracy
Allegory -- Civic -- Law
Object Type:
Relief
Architectural component
Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington
Sculpture
Owner:
National Archives and Records Administration, 7th & Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, District of Columbia
Remarks:
Fraser designed the medallion; Aitken prepared both the sketches and the 1/2 scale model for the medallions on the Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street sides of the building; Ricci executed the enlargements. The Indiana Limestone Company carved the medallions.
References:
Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.
Gurney, George, "Sculpture and the Federal Triangle," Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985, pg. 157-196.
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 152.
Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 4.7.
Illustration:
Image on file.
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 152.
Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 4.7.
Note:
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.
Repository:
Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Control Number:
IAS 78250008
Copy/Holding information
Smithsonian AmericanArt Museum
Control Number
Inventory of American Sculpture
78250008
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