Count Casimir Pulaski, (sculpture).

Search ALL sculptures and paintings

Count Casimir Pulaski, (sculpture).

Gutzwa, Julius T., sculptor.

Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company, founder.

William R. Saviteer (Firm), contractor.

Count Casimir Pulaski, (sculpture).

Pulaski Monument, (sculpture).

Dedicated 1934. Rededicated Oct. 4, 1959. Rededicated Oct. 25, 1961.

Digital Reference:

Bronze on a light gray Barre granite base.

Overall: approx. 89 x 87 x 67 in.; Relief plaque: approx. 68 x 29 x 3 in.; Eagle: approx. H. 18 in. x W. 36 in. (15 tons)

(Below figure's proper left foot:) 1934/Julius T/Gutzwa (Open book on front of pedestal, left page:) COUNT CASIMIR/PULASKI/ "FATHER OF THE/AMERICAN CAVALRY"/BORN IN POLAND 1747./CAME TO AMERICA 1777./ENTERING AS A VOLUN-/TEER. DISTINGUISHED/HIMSELF AT BATTLE (Book's right page:) OF BRANDYWINE. PRO-/MOTED TO THE RANK OF/BRIGADIER GENERAL/WAS MORTALLY WOUND-/DED IN THE SEIGE OF/SAVANNAH, GEORGIA./HE DIED 1779./FREEDOM SHRIEKED/WHEN PULASKI DIED (Under the bronze relief and cut into the stone facing north are the words:) POLANIA MERIDEN (On the south side of the upper shaft in letters cut into the stone:) CASIMIR PULASKI/POLISH-AMERICAN/PATRIOT/AIDED THE COLONIES/IN THEIR FIGHT/FOR LIBERTY/DYING GLORIOUSLY/IN ACTION signed

A bas-relief of a standing figure of Count Casimir Pulaski, wearing a moustache, dressed in boots to his knees and open coat with epaulets. He is wearing a bow tie and shirt with lace at the neck. His proper right hand hold a crushed tricorn hat while his proper left hand holds a sword. Above him, perched atop the granite stele, is a bronze eagle with spread wings, standing atop a bronze ball. Below Pulaski, is a bronze book opened and inscribed with text. On the ends of the granite block bearing the book are two bronze plates, one representing the Colonial flag and the other the Polish flag.

Portrait male -- Pulaski, Casimir -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- General

Ethnic -- Polish

History -- United States -- Revolution

Dress -- Uniform -- Military Uniform

Object -- Weapon -- Sword

Object -- Other -- Flag

Dress -- Accessory -- Hat

Outdoor Sculpture -- Connecticut -- Meriden

Administered by City of Meriden, Department of Parks & Recreation, 460 Liberty Street, Meriden, Connecticut 06450

Located Broad Street, Meriden, Connecticut 06450

Funding for the monument in the amount of $10,000 was provided primarily by parishioners of Saint Stanislaus Church. The first dedication in 1934 was celebrated by a parade of 5,000, with 20,000 onlookers. A second dedication was held 25 years later on Oct. 4, 1959. On December 28, 1960, the monument was smashed by a motorist. A principal stone in the base was split in two. The firm of William R. Saviteer undertook the restoration, with a rededication ceremony held on Oct. 25, 1961.

IAS files contain a copy of the Meriden Journal (Meriden, CT), April 28, 1961.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Connecticut survey, 1993.

Meriden Record (Meriden, CT), Oct. 5, 1959.

Meriden Record (Meriden, CT), Dec. 27, 1960.

Meriden Record (Meriden, CT), Oct. 16, 1961.

Meriden Journal (Meriden, CT), Dec. 29, 1960.

Meriden Journal (Meriden, CT), Oct. 16, 1961.

Meriden Journal (Meriden, CT), April 28, 1961.

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