The Spirit of Life, (sculpture).

The Spirit of Life, (sculpture).

French, Daniel Chester, 1850-1931, sculptor.

Mascetti, assistant.

Bacon, Henry, 1866-1924, architect.

Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder.

Piccirilli Brothers Marble Carving Studios, fabricator.

The Spirit of Life, (sculpture).

Spencer Trask Memorial, (sculpture).

Return of Waters to Saratoga, (sculpture).

Spirit of the Water, (sculpture).

Cast Nov. 1914. Dedicated June 26, 1915.

Digital Reference:

Bronze on stone base.

Approx. 122 x 102 x 60 in.; Base: Diam. approx. 36 in.

(On top wall in back of statue:) TO THE MEMORY OF SPENCER TRASK MDCCCXLIV-MXMIX/HIS ONE OBJECT IN LIFE WAS TO DO RIGHT AND TO SERVE HIS FELLOW MEN./HE GAVE HIMSELF ABUNDANTLY TO HASTEN THE COMING OF A NEW AND BETTER DAY WHICH WITH PROPHETIC VISION HE FORETOLD.

Larger than life size female figure, draped and winged, with uplifted arms and open wings, is backed by high stone wall at one end of rectangular reflecting pool. Her proper right hand holds a pine branch, Mr. Trask's symbol; her proper left hand holds bowl of water which flows down into pool when full. Statue stands on stone pedestal carved to look like natural rock cropping. Water flows from opening in top of base into small, round concrete pool 156 in. in diameter. This, in turn, overflows into lower level pool, larger and rectangular in shape, which extends in front of statue. The rectangular pool measures 68 width in length; 32 ft. in width.

Homage -- Trask, Spencer

Allegory -- Life

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Saratoga Springs

Administered by City of Saratoga Springs, Department of Public Works, City Hall, Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

Located Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

The contract for the work was signed on Dec. 11, 1913 and final payment was twenty-five thousand dollars. French made several preliminary models; his studio assistant Mascetti was responsible for the armature and did the point up to the full size clay from the plaster model; Bacon was responsible for the architectural setting, fountain, walls and urns. Statue was cast by Gorham Company in Providence, Rhode Island; set and attached to base by Piccirilli Brothers in New York City in May 1915. See IAS files for copies of the Richman text and Saratogian news articles.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

Historical Society of Saratoga Springs, 1977.

Richman, Michael, "Daniel Chester French: An American Sculptor," New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1976, pg. 130-140.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1992.

Saratogian, 6/10/82 and 6/11/82.

Saratogian, May 24, 1983.

Saratogian, August 27, 1960.

Richman, Michael, "Daniel Chester French: An American Sculptor," New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1976, pg. 19 and 130.

For model see: 08580613.

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

Control Number:

Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

Powered by SirsiDynix

About | © 2020 Smithsonian | Terms of Use | Privacy | Contact

SIRIS - Smithsonian Institution Research Information System