Nicolaus Copernicus, (sculpture).

Nicolaus Copernicus, (sculpture).

Thorwaldsen, Bertel, 1768-1844, sculptor.

Koniuszy, Bronislaw, sculptor.

Unknown (Warsaw, Poland), founder.

Nicolaus Copernicus, (sculpture).

Original modeled 1823. Installed 1973. Dedicated Oct. 14, 1973.

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite with a copper box inside.

Sculpture: approx. 8 1/2 ft. x 4 ft.; Base: approx. 15 ft. x 4 ft x 8 ft.

(On front of base:) Nicholas/Copernicus/MIKOLAI KOPERNIK/1473-1543/By reforming astronomy/he initiated modern science. (Rear of base:) MIKOLAI KOPERNIK/Nicolas Copernicus/Polish Astronomer/1473-1543/Erected in 1973 by the Copernicus/Foundation and the Polish American/Congress to Commemorate the/500th Anniversary of his birth

Copernicus is depicted in a moment of reflection, dressed in 16th century Polish robes, his eyes turned toward the stars. In his hands he holds the instruments that identify him as an astronomer, an open compass and resting on his knee, an armillary sphere, or model of the solar system.

Portrait male -- Copernicus, Nicolaus -- Full length

Ethnic -- Polish

Occupation -- Science -- Astronomer

Occupation -- Medicine -- Doctor

Occupation -- Religion -- Clergy

Dress -- Historic -- Renaissance Dress

Object -- Tool -- Measuring Device

Object -- Other -- Globe

Outdoor Sculpture -- Illinois -- Chicago

Administered by Chicago Park District, Preservation Planning Division, 425 East McFetridge Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605

Located Burnham Park, Solidarity Drive in front of Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois

Original sculpture was based on a contemporary engraving of Copernicus and was executed in Rome by Thorvaldsen in 1823. Original was designed for the Staszic Palace in Warsaw, seat of the Polish Academy of Science, but was destroyed in 1944. The Burnham Park sculpture was commissioned by the Copernicus Foundation and the Polish American Congress in 1973 and was cast in Warsaw from Thorvaldsen's working model under the supervision of Polish sculptor Bronislaw Koniuszy. At the dedication, a copper box containing soil from six sites connected with the life of Copernicus was sealed within the granite base. Copernicus was born in Poland where he was educated as both a priest and a physician. He was the first person to declare that the earth and its planets revolve around the sun, but it was not until sixty years later that Galileo proved his theory with the aid of a telescope.

Bach, Ira J., and Mary Lackritz Gray, "A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture," Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983, pg. 15.

Riedy, James L., "Chicago Sculpture," Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1981, pg. 199.

Gray, Mary Lackritz, "Department of Cultural Affairs Loop Sculpture Guide," Chicago: Department of Cultural Affairs, 1990, no. 30.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Illinois, Chicago survey, 1993.

Bach, Ira J., and Mary Lackritz Gray, "A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture," Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983, pg. 15.

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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