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More Smithsonian Searches     Who else has...     Legnaioli, Ferrucio,     Gorham Manufacturing Company,     Portrait male -- Smith, Francis H.     Occupation -- Military     Dress -- Uniform     Object -- Written Matter     Outdoor Sculpture -- Virginia -- Lexington     Sculpture

Francis H. Smith, (sculpture). Artist:  Legnaioli, Ferrucio, sculptor. Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder. Title:  Francis H. Smith, (sculpture). Other Titles:  Old Specs, (sculpture). Dates:  1931. Cast 1931. Dedicated June 10, 1931. Rededicated Oct. 19, 1979. Digital Reference:  Medium:  Figure: bronze; Base: granite. Dimensions:  Figure: approx. H. 7 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. H. 8 ft. Inscription:  (On back of plinth:) F. Legnaioli '31 (Front of base:) MAJOR GENERAL FRANCIS H. SMITH/SUPERINTENDENT/NOVEMBER 11, 1839 TO DECEMBER 31, 1889/BUILDER AND REBUILDER/OF THE/VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE/THIS STATUE REPRESENTS HIM/IN THE ACT OF DELIVERING A DIPLOMA TO A/GRADUATE AND MEMORIALIZES HIS CUSTOM/OF GIVING A BIBLE TO EVERY CADET AT THE/END OF HIS FIRST CLASS YEAR./APPOINTED MAJOR GENERAL/OF VIRGINIA CADETS DEC. 18, 1961 signed Description:  Standing male figure wearing a Prince Albert coat with military insignia on shoulders, three stars denoting Confederate rank of Major General. In his proper right hand he holds a partially unrolled diploma, while in his proper left hand he holds a Bible. Subject:  Portrait male -- Smith, Francis H. -- Full length Occupation -- Military -- General Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform Object -- Written Matter -- Book Object Type:  Outdoor Sculpture -- Virginia -- Lexington Sculpture Owner:  Administered by Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Military Institute Museum, Lexington, Virginia 24450 Located Virginia Military Institute, In front of Smith Hall, south end of Parade Grounds, Lexington, Virginia 24450 Provenance:  Formerly located Virginia Military Institute, Between Engineering Building and Jackson Memorial Hall, east side of Parade Grounds, Lexington, Virginia 1931-1979. Remarks:  Francis H. Smith was known by the nickname of "Old Specs" or "Spex," because he wore spectacles. There was much debate about whether or not the sculpture of Francis H. Smith should include spectacles. The figure was cast without spectacles, but a pair of spectacles were cast separately and then attached to the figure. The spectacles have been easily vandalized, and the Virginia Military Institute has had to replace them several times. References:  Save Outdoor Sculpture, Virginia survey, 1995. Virginia Military Institute, 1992. Couper, William, "One Hundred Years at V. M. I.," Richmond, Virginia: Garrett & Massie, 1939. Illustration:  Image on file. 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 55140002   Copy/Holding information Smithsonian AmericanArt Museum Control Number   Inventory of American Sculpture 55140002 Add Copy to MyList Format: HTMLPlain textDelimited Subject:   Email to:

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