Johnny Ring, (sculpture).

Johnny Ring, (sculpture).

Blai, Boris, 1893-1985, sculptor.

Johnny Ring, (sculpture).

1964. Installed autumn 1964. Dedicated April 30, 1965.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. 50 1/2 x 26 x 30 in.; Base: approx. 42 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 30 in.

(Base, plaque on left side:) Johnnie(sic) Ring was the/youth whose example in/life and heroism in death/provided inspiration that/led to the founding of/Temple University. In the/war between the states,/he was personal orderly to captain Russell H./Conwell of the 46th/Massachusetts infantry./The moving forces of his life at that time were/his religious faith and/his devotion to Captain/Conwell. When a surprise/Confederate attack routed/Union troops, it was Johnnie(sic) Ring who raged across a/flaming bridge and/through enemy gunfire/to retrieve from his/commander's tent the/ceremonial sword pre-/sented to the captain by/the city of Springfield./He brought back the/sword, be(sic) he died that/night of his burns as/Conwell knelt by his cot/in prayer. The incident turned/Conwell to the ministry as a life work and later/to the founding of Temple/University. He vowed to/live a life for Johnnie(sic)/Ring as well as for him-/self...eight hours of work/a day for Johnnie(sic), eight hours of work for his own./Except for Johnnie(sic) Ring/Conwell

Boris Blai (On horseshoe beneath proper right foot:) A lad who didn't die (On book held in proper right arm:) HOLY/BIBLE (Below proper left foot:) Johnny Ring (Below proper right foot:) 1861-1958 signed

Standing portrait of Johnny Ring with his proper right leg raised as if taking a step. A sword hangs by his proper right side and his proper right hand rests through the handle of the sword. In his bent proper left arm he cradles a large Bible. He is dressed in his Civil War military uniform consisting of a short jacket with a mandarin collar, slim pants tucked into tall boots, and a cap with a visor. He looks off to his proper left from beneath the visor.

Portrait male -- Ring, Johnny -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Sword

Object -- Written Matter -- Bible

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Administered by Temple University, Facilities Management, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122

Located Temple University, Mitten Hall Annex, North Terrace, Broad and Berks Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122

Formerly located Temple University, Tyler Campus, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

During the Civil War, Johnny Ring was the valet for Russell Conwell, the founder of Temple University. According to the legend, Johnny Ring died after risking his life to cross a burning bridge to retrieve Conwell's sword during a battle.

Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 332.

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. 332.

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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