(Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse Figures), (sculpture).

(Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse Figures), (sculpture).

Englsmann, Frank, sculptor.

(Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse Figures), (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Indiana limestone.

14 figures. Each figure: 12 x 6 x 5 ft.; Each figure group: 12 x 25 x 5 ft.

Covering the exterior of the courthouse there are fourteen allegorical figures or figure groups. "Justice" on the Fifth Street side is a female figure holding a staff in her proper right hand and the scales of justice in her proper left hand. She is flanked on her right by a reclining female figure holding a torch and on her left by a male figure reclining on a pile of books. The Fifth Street entrance is adorned on the left by the "Muse of Sculpture" represented by a female figure holding a mallet and a chisel, and the entrance is adorned on the right by the "Muse of Literature" represented by a female figure holding an open book in her proper left hand.

The "Goddess of Manufacturing and Industry" on the Court Street side is a female figure holding a hammer and anvil in her proper right hand and a cog in her proper left hand. Beside her proper left foot is a locomotive that was so important to both industries. The "Goddess of Agriculture" on the Court Street side is a female figure seated beside a sheaf of wheat, resting her proper left hand on a plow and her proper right hand on a basket of vegetables and a beehive.

The "Goddess of Learning" on the Vine Street side is a bare-chested female figure with her proper right hand resting on a tablet and scrolls at her feet. Her proper left hand is raised and once held something, possibly a scroll. The "Goddess of Commerce and River Trade" on the Vine Street Side is a female figure resting her proper left hand on the prow of a boat with a chain and anchor. Behind her are bales, barrels, and crates, such as one would have found at that time on the riverfront. A staff of some kind once held in her proper right hand has been broken.

The "Quest for Knowledge and Truth" on the Fourth Street side is a female figure holding a sword (now broken) in her proper left hand. She is flanked on her right by a reclining female figure holding a torch and on her left by a male figure reclining by a pile of books. The Fourth Street entrance is adorned on the left by the "Muse of Music" represented by a female figure holding a harp in her proper right hand, and the entrance is adorned on the right by the "Muse of Painting" represented by a female figure holding an artist's palette in her proper left hand.

Allegory -- Quality -- Justice

Allegory -- Other -- Trade

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Literature

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Sculpture

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Painting

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Music

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Industry

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Agriculture

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Architectural component

Outdoor Sculpture -- Indiana -- Evansville

Administered by Old Courthouse Preservation Society, 201 NW Fourth Street, Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse, Evansville, Indiana 47708

Located Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse, 201 NW Fourth Street, Evansville, Indiana

Title supplied by Inventory cataloger.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

Evansville Museum of Arts and Science, 1976.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Indiana survey, 1993.

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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Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

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