Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, (sculpture).

Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, (sculpture).

Cauer, Robert, b. 1863, sculptor.

Unknown (Lauchhammer, Germany), founder.

Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, (sculpture).

Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Memorial, (sculpture).

Dedicated Oct. 11, 1913. Rededicated 1972. Rededicated 1989.

Digital Reference:

Bust: bronze; Figures: bronze; Base: limestone and grey granite.

Bust: approx. H. 5 ft.; Figures: approx. H. 7 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. 10 ft. x 41 ft. 10 1/2 in. x 18 ft. 9 in.

(On granite plaque on center front base:) FRIEDRICH LUDWIG/JAHN/THE FATHER OF/SYSTEMATIC/PHYSICAL CULTURE (On upper plaque, proper right plinth:) DEDICATED BY THE/NORD AMERICANISHEN/TURNERBUND/OCTOBER 1913 (On lower plaque, proper right plinth:) AMERICAN TURNERS SOUND MIND/SOUND BODY/REDEDICATED/AUGUST 15, 1972/AMERICAN TURNERS (On upper plaque, proper left plinth:) DEDICATED BY THE/NORTH AMERICAN/GYMNASTIC UNION/OCT. 1913 (On lower plaque, proper left plinth:) RESTORED 1989/BY/THE AMERICAN TURNERS/AND/FOREST PARK FOREVER (On the base, behind the exedra is a series of six polished black granite plaques, each inscribed with an owl and laurel leaves in the center, and the names of several American geographical regions) (On proper right side of bronze plinth of female figure:) ROBERT CAUER/DARMSTADT (On proper left side of bronze plinth of female figure:) geg: LAUCHHAMMER (On proper left side of bronze plinth of male figure:) ROBERT CAUER/DARMSTADT (On proper right side of bronze plinth of male figure:) geg: LAUCHHAMMER (On proper right side of reverse of bust:) ROBERT CAUER/DARMSTADT (On proper left side of reverse of bust:) geg: LAUCHHAMMER signed Founder's mark appears

Bronze bust of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn atop center of long semicircular limestone base, with the full-length bronze figure of a male shotputter at the proper right end of the base, and the full-length bronze figure of a female dancing in gym uniform at the proper left end of the base. Jahn is shown as a balding older gentleman with long hair and a long flowing beard. The male shotputter at proper right is posed in the act of throwing the putt. The female at proper left wears a t-shirt and bloomers, and appears to be dancing with a baton. There are three large granite steps in front of the monument, leading to a semicircular plaza. Around the edge of the plaza are limestone benches forming an exedra.

Portrait male -- Jahn, Friedrich Ludwig -- Bust

Ethnic -- German

Recreation -- Sport & Play

Outdoor Sculpture -- Missouri -- St. Louis

Administered by City of St. Louis, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, 5600 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110

Located Forest Park, North of Northwest Entrance to Zoo, West of Post-Dispatch Lake, St. Louis, Missouri

This monument commemorates Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the founder of the Turnverein, a German gymnastic and social organization. Funded by the St. Louis Chapter of the North American Turnverein, at a cost of $6,000, this monument was placed on the site occupied by the German pavilion during the 1904 World's Fair.

IAS files contain transcription of markings on series of six polished black granite plaques on the base behind the exedra, as well as a copy of unpublished 1969 mayor's report "Public Art - St. Louis" which includes transcriptions of the original bronze plaques. Text of original inscriptions seems to have been altered slightly for the granite replacement plaques. IAS files also contain copies of related articles from St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Aug. 21, 1969; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nov. 14, 1965; and copies of newspaper photographs and captions from Globe-Democrat, Aug. 17, 1947; and Star-Times, May 9, 1938.

In 1977, bronze was glass bead peened, repatinated, and coated. In 1983, arms of male figure, which had been damaged by vandals, were repaired; and missing proper left arm and pole of female figure were modeled and cast.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Missouri, St. Louis survey, 1993.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, MO5038, 1989.

McCue, George, "Sculpture City: St. Louis," New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1988, pg. 74, 76.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

Monumental News (May 1913).

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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