Arts, Sciences, and Letters, (sculpture).

Arts, Sciences, and Letters, (sculpture).

Bock, Richard W., 1865-1949, sculptor.

Arts, Sciences, and Letters, (sculpture).

Literature, Enlightenment, Art, (sculpture).

1892. Cast 1893. Installed Oct. 19, 1893. Relocated 1967, 1981. Rededicated Sept. 20, 1981.,

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: limestone.

Sculpture: approx. 13 x 17 x 6 ft.; Base: approx. 82 x 209 x 90 in.

Heroic bronze group of three figures. On the proper right is a seated female figure representing Literature. On her lap she holds a book or tablet. She faces away from the grouping. Her proper right arm is extended. In the center is a standing male figure of Enlightenment holding aloft a torch in his proper right hand. The torch is topped with a six-pointed star. On the proper left is a seated female figure representing Art. With her proper left hand she holds a drawing board braced against her proper left knee. Her proper right hand is poised near her shoulder and she is gazing at the board. A laurel wreath lies in the foreground between the center and proper left figures. An eagle perches with outspread wings behind the figures.

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Literature

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Science

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Art

Object -- Other -- Torch

Animal -- Bird -- Eagle

Object -- Written Matter -- Book

Outdoor Sculpture -- Indiana -- Indianapolis

Administered by Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 2450 North Meridian, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Located Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 800 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

Formerly in the collection of Marion County Historical Society, Indianapolis, Indiana 1967-1981.

Formerly located Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana

Formerly in the collection of Indianapolis School Board, Administration Building, 150 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

Formerly located Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, 150 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

Cost of the sculpture was $8,000. The sculpture was installed on the old Indianapolis-Marion County Public library building in 1893. The building later became the Indianapolis School Board administration building. In 1967 the sculpture was removed when the building was torn down. The sculpture was turned over to the Marion County Historical Society. The Society placed the sculpture in outdoor storage at Crown Hill Cemetery from 1967-1981. In 1981 the sculpture was installed on a new limestone base on the grounds of the present Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. During the years in outdoor storage, several parts of the sculpture were stolen and not recovered. IAS files contain copies of related articles from Indianapolis News, Jan. 11, 1967, Jan. 7 and Sept. 19, 1981; and Indianapolis Star, Jan. 11, 1967 and April 7, 1985.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Indiana survey, 1993.

Pierre, Dorathi Bock, ed., "Memoirs of an American Artist, Sculptor Richard W. Bock," Los Angeles, CA: C.C. Publishing Co., c1989, 1991, pg. 45.

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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