Thomas Jefferson, (sculpture).

Thomas Jefferson, (sculpture).

Bitter, Karl, 1867-1915, sculptor.

Roman Bronze Works, founder.

Thomas Jefferson, (sculpture).

1915. Dedicated May 1, 1916. Removed June 14, 2020.

Digital Reference:

Figure: bronze; Base: stone.

Figure: approx. 5 x 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. 5 x 3 1/2 x 4 ft.

KARL BITTER ROMAN BRONZE WORKS NEW YORK, NY. (On front of plinth:) THE GIFT OF THE ALUMNI AND STUDENTS OF JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL AND/BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER ONE/JUNE 1915 (On west side of base:) "BEAR IN MIND THIS SACRED PRINCIPAL, THAT/THOUGH THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY IS IN/ALL CASES TO PREVAIL, THAT WILL, TO BE/RIGHTFUL, MUST BE REASONABLE; THAT THE/MINORITY POSSESS THEIR EQUAL RIGHTS,/WHICH EQUAL LAWS MUST PROTECT,/AND TO VIOLATE WOULD BE OPPRESSION."/THOMAS JEFFERSON (On east side of base:) "THE GREATEST SERVICE WHICH CAN BE/RENDERED TO ANY COUNTRY IS TO ADD/A USEFUL PLANT TO ITS CULTURE."/THOMAS JEFFERSON signed Founder's mark appears.

Figure of Thomas Jefferson sitting on a draped chair. His left arm is resting on the back of the chair, and his right arm is resting in his lap holding papers and a pen in his proper right hand.

Portrait male -- Jefferson, Thomas -- Full length

Occupation -- Political -- President

Occupation -- Political -- Statesman

Occupation -- Political -- Diplomat

Occupation -- Law -- Lawyer

Occupation -- Education

Occupation -- Writer -- Author

Formerly located Jefferson High School, 5210 North Kerby, North side of school, overlooking football and track fields, Portland, Oregon 97217

Gift of the alumni and students of Jefferson High School, and the Board of Directors of School District Number One. The June 1913 class of Jefferson High School first suggested the idea of a Thomas Jefferson statue to be placed at the school. According to an article in the Evening Telegram (Portland, OR), May 2, 1916, funds raised by the class play were donated toward the sculpture by the class of 1913, and succeeding classes continued to donate funds. Following a fire at the school that was extinguished by four students, the board decided to double the amount raised by the students. The students and the board each donated $1,200, bringing the total amount to $2,400. This was enough to purchase a cast of Bitter's statue of Thomas Jefferson installed at the University of Virginia. The sculpture was unveiled on May 1, 1916 on a temporary wood base on the steps leading to the north entrance to the school. IAS files contain copies of The Evening Telegram (Portland, OR), May 2, 1916, pg. 10 and The Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR), May 1, 1916, pg. 10 describing the dedication ceremony.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985.

Oregon Historical Society, 1976.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Oregon survey, 1993.

The Morning Oregonian (Portland, OR), May 2, 1916, pg. 10.

The Evening Telegram (Portland, OR), May 2, 1916, pg. 10.

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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