Moses Austin, (sculpture).

Moses Austin, (sculpture).

Tauch, Waldine Amanda, 1892/94-1986, sculptor.

Coppini, Pompeo, 1870-1957, assistant.

Nelson, Donald, 1907- , architect.

E. Gargani & Sons, founder.

Moses Austin, (sculpture).

1937-1938. Dedicated May 15, 1939.

Sculpture and octagonal base: bronze; Base: Fredericksburg red granite.

Sculpture and octagonal base: approx. H. 10 ft.; Base: approx. H. 3 ft.1 1 in. x 4 ft. 7 in.

E. GARGANI FDRY NY (Inscribed on front base panel:) Born in Connecticut October 4th 1761 moved to Philadelphia in 1783 thence to Virginia in 1785 and to Missouri in 1798. Arrived in San Antonio on December 23rd, 1820. Died in Missouri June 10th 1821. (On right side panel on base:) Moses Austin here petitioned the Spanish authorities to bring three hundred families to Texas - and returned to Missouri to await the answer. Erected by the State of Texas with funds appropriated by the Federal Government to commemorate one hundred years of Texas independence. (On left side panel on base:) A man of vision, enterprise, industry, indomitable energy. He most fittingly bequeathed the realization of his plans to his more deliberate, patient, tactful and diplomatic son. (On back panel on base:) Exposure and exhaustion during his Texas journey caused his death a few days after receiving notification that his petition had been granted. His dying request was that his son Stephen should carry out his vision. signed Founder's mark appears.

A heroic-sized cloaked figure of Moses Austin facing west. In his outstretched proper right hand, he holds a scroll, symbolizing an agreement with the Spanish governmen to grant him permission to settle 300 families in Texas. He wears a waistcoat, knee-high boots, and a long cape; in his proper left hand he hold a broad-brimmed hat. He stands atop an octagonal bronze base that features four relief panels depicting scenes from Austin's life. The panel at Austin's proper right front is a depiction of a Austin as a pioneer husband, his wife, and small child; (moving in a counter clockwise direction) the next panel depicts two male figures facing each other; the third depicts a lone frontiersman standing in a cornfield; and the fourth depicts two standing male figures.

Portrait male -- Austin, Moses -- Full length

History -- United States -- Westward Expansion

Dress -- Historic -- Nineteenth Century Dress

Outdoor Sculpture -- Texas -- San Antonio

Administered by City of San Antonio, Parks and Recreation, Horticultural and Environmental Division, 202 East Nueva, San Antonio, Texas 78204

Located City Hall, Military Plaza, East Commerce & South Flores streets, San Antonio, Texas

Architect Donald Nelson designed the overall monument. When the sculpture was being cast, Pompeo Coppini went to the foundry to repair damage done to the mold because Tauch was unable to go. The damage was in the area of the statue's legs and it occurred during shipping. This monument was erected by the State of Texas with funds donated by the Texas Centennial Commission to commemorate 100 years of Texas Independence.

Treated 1997 November. Jensen Foundation for Art Consevation Education & Research, Inc. (Omaha, NE) Treatment report on file with Texas Historical Commission.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Texas, San Antonio survey, 1993.

Hutson, Alice, "From Chalk to Bronze," Austin, TX: Shoal Creek Publishers, pg. 97-104, 162.

SOS Achievement Award, 2000.

SOS Conservation Notification Report, 1997.

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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