Independence Flagstaff, (sculpture).

Independence Flagstaff, (sculpture).

de Francisci, Anthony, 1887-1964, sculptor.

Smith, Perry Coke, architect.

Meyer, Charles B., architect.

Roman Bronze Works, founder.

Independence Flagstaff, (sculpture).

Charles F. Murphy Memorial Flagpole, (sculpture).

Murphy Memorial, (sculpture).

1926. Dedicated July 4, 1930.

Reliefs: bronze, steel and copper; Base: granite.

Flagpole: approx. Diam. 24 ft.; Base: approx. Diam. 25 ft. 6 in.

Anthony de Francisci/Perry Coke Smith/1926/Roman Bronze Works, New York signed Founder's mark appears.

A large circular flagpole installation with two bronze allegorical reliefs wrapped around it. One relief depicts the evolution of civilization under democratic rule and the other depicts civilization under tyrannical rule. On the southern face, a tablet carries the text of the Declaration of Independence. Around a second tier of the base is a smaller circular motif depicting the coats of arms of the original thirteen states. A narrow circular granite base rests beneath the circular flagpole installation.

Emblem -- Coat of Arms

Allegory -- Civic -- Democracy

Allegory -- Civic -- Injustice

Homage -- Murphy, Charles F.

History -- United States -- Declaration of Independence

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- New York

Administered by City of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation, The Arsenal - Central Park, New York, New York 10021

Located Union Square, near 16th Street, New York, New York

This flagpole was raised on the site of the an earlier flagpole erected by the Tammany Society under the direction of Tammany Hall boss Charle F. Murphy. When Murphy died, his supporters wanted to turn the flagpole into a monument to him, but because Murphy was a controversial figure, it was decided to raised a new flagpole in honor of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The flagpole was a gift of the Charles F. Murphy Committee. The Gayle and Cohen publication contains a detail photo of one relief panel and the Lederer publication contains a full view of the flagpole from one side. Inscription on a nearby marker reads: THIS MONUMENT SETTING FORTH IN ENDURING BROZE THE FULL TEXT OF THE IMMORTAL CHARTER OF AMERICAN LIBERTY WAS ERECTED IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1776 JULY 4TH 1926.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

The City of New York, Department of Parks, 1941.

Gayle, Margot & Michele Cohen, "Guide to Manhattan's Outdoor Sculpture," New York: Prentice Hall, 1988, pg. 95.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York, New York survey, 1994.

Gayle, Margot & Michele Cohen, "Guide to Manhattan's Outdoor Sculpture," New York: Prentice Hall, 1988, pg. 95.

Lederer, Joseph, "All Around the Town: A Walking Guide to Outdoor Sculpture in New York City," New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975, pg. 59.

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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