St. Luke Reading the Gospel, (sculpture).

St. Luke Reading the Gospel, (sculpture).

Sinz, Walter A., 1881-1966, sculptor.

Gandola, P. M., 1889-1963, carver.

Gandola, Attilio D., 1884-1930, carver.

Gandola Brothers Monument & Architectural Works, carver.

Hubbell & Benes, architectural firm.

St. Luke Reading the Gospel, (sculpture).

Saint Luke Reading the Gospel, (sculpture).

1929. Dedicated Nov. 11, 1929.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: Westerly granite.

Sculpture: approx. 7 ft. x 85 1/2 in. x 47 in.; Base: approx. 72 x 93 x 55 in. (18 tons).

(Back, lower right:) Walter Sinz, Sculptor/Carved by Candola(sic) Brothers 1929 (Base, front:) SAINT LUKE'S/HOSPITAL signed Founder's mark appears.

In the center is a full length standing figure of St. Luke, physician and patron of the arts. In his hands he holds a scroll inscribed with Greek for "Heal the sick who are therein." He is dressed in a long robe and sandals. On the back of his robe is the hospital's insignia. Kneeling on his proper right is a uniformed nurse holding a medical chart in her lap. She symbolizes the science of hospital care. Kneeling on his proper left is a mother holding an infant in her arms. They symbolize humanity. Behind St. Luke is a reclining winged ox, a symbol of St. Luke since early Christian days which signifies "willing and patient service even to the point of sacrifice." The sculpture rests on a square base with a spout embedded in the front. Below the spout is a semicircular basin which is used as a planter.

Religion -- Saint -- St. Luke

Object -- Written Matter -- Scroll

Animal -- Cattle

Fantasy -- Winged Being

Figure group -- Family -- Mother & Child

Figure female -- Full length

Occupation -- Medicine -- Nurse

Dress -- Uniform -- Medical Uniform

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Science

Allegory -- Life -- Humanity

Outdoor Sculpture -- Ohio -- Cleveland

St. Luke's Medical Center, Director of Maintenance/Administration, 11311 Shaker Boulevard, In front of original hospital building, Cleveland, Ohio 44104

The sculpture was a gift of Francis F. Prentiss, President of St. Luke's Hospital. IAS files contain a related excerpt from Josephine Robertson's "St. Luke's Hospital 1894-1980," 1981, pg. 150 and a newspaper article from the Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH), Nov. 23, 1929 which explain the symbolism of the figures.

Campen, Richard N., "Outdoor Sculpture in Ohio," Chagrin Falls, Ohio: West Summit Press, 1980.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Ohio, Cleveland survey, 1993.

Campen, Richard N., "Outdoor Sculpture in Ohio," Chagrin Falls, Ohio: West Summit Press, 1980, pg. 64.

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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