Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, (sculpture).

Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, (sculpture).

Popiel, Antoni, 1865-1910, sculptor.

Falvey, M. J., contractor.

Berchem, Jules, 1855-1930, founder.

American Art Foundry, founder.

Kyle Granite Company, contractor

Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, (sculpture).

Cast 1908. Base figures cast 1908-1909. Dedicated May 11, 1910.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: Vermont granite.

Sculpture: approx. 10 x 4 x 4 ft.; Base: approx. 15 x 20 x 20 ft.

Antoni Popiel, Sculpt./1908 cast (Base, north side:) KOSKIUSZKO / SARATOGA (Base, east side:) GENERAL THADDEUS KOSKIUSZKO/1746-1817/SON OF POLAND (Base, south side:) "RACLIWCE"/"AND FREEDOM SHRIEKED/AS KOSKIUSZKO FELL" ERECTED BY THE/POLISH NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF AMERICA AND PRESENTED TO THE/UNITED STATES ON BEHALF OF THE /POLISH AMERICAN CITIZENS/MAY 11, 1910. (Base, west side:) MILITARY ENGINEER/IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION/FORTIFIED SARATOGA AND WEST POINT signed

Standing portrait of General Kosciuszko holding a map of the fortifications of Saratoga in his proper right hand. He rests the map against his extended proper right leg. He holds a sword his proper left hand. His dress is that of the U. S. Continental Army military uniform consisting of a long coat with fringed epaulets and a sash at the waist, tall boots, and a hat. The sculpture rests atop a square tiered base adorned with bronze sculptures on all four sides. On the north side, there is an eagle perched on top of a globe showing America with a flag, a sword, and a shield. On the south side, there is globe showing Poland with and eagle fighting a snake on top. On the east side, there is a figure group depicting Kosciuszko dressed in a U. S. military uniform with a drum at his feet and a flag held in his proper left hand. With his proper right hand he unties a rope from around the waist of an American soldier who symbolizes the American army. On the west side, there is a figure group depicting Kosciuszko dressed in a Polish military uniform lying on the ground and pointing into the distance with his proper right hand. Assisting him is a Polish soldier dressed in peasant military attire to symbolize the Polish Army.

Portrait male -- Kosciuszko, Thaddeus -- Full Length

Occupation -- Military -- Brigadier General

Occupation -- Industry -- Engineering

Occupation -- Other -- Reformer

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Dress -- Ethnic -- Polish Dress

Object -- Written Matter -- Map

Object -- Weapon -- Sword

Ethnic -- Polish

History -- United States -- Revolution

History -- Poland

State of Being -- Illness -- Wound

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia

Located Lafayette Square, Pennsylvania Avenue between Jackson Place & Madison Place, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia

Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746-1817) spent his life fighting for freedom both in the U.S. and in his native Poland. In 1776, during the Revolution, he assisted American forces by using his engineering skills to build fortifications at Saratoga, West Point, and along the Delaware River. He was made a brigadier general by Congress in 1783 and given land in Ohio. He returned to Poland in 1784 to fight for Poland's freedom from Russia. However, in 1794 his forces were defeated at the battle of Raclawice and he was imprisoned, but was released in 1796. Until he died in 1817 he continued to fight for freedom. His interest in African Americans led to the sale of his property in Ohio to found a school for African Americans in Newark, New Jersey. The sculpture was erected by the Polish National Alliance of America and was given on behalf of Polish American Citizens. It cost $60,000.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 374-375.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, DC0071, 1989.

Monumental News, July 1908, Aug. 1908, May 1910, July 1910.

Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, J-12.

Monumental News, July 1910, cover.

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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