Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
America
Artist
Daniel Chester French
Year1907
Classification
sculpture
Medium
Tennessee marble
Dimensions11' 2" high
Credits
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
U.S. General Services Administration
CollectionCollection Highlights
- One of four sculptures (The Continents) on the front entrance facade, made of Tennessee Marble, and resting on high platforms. Figures represent ancient and modern seafaring continents and sculptured masks of the races of Man. Similarities link the four sculptures. The main figure in each is an idealized seated young woman surrounded by symbolic representations, including stereotypes that were considered acceptable in the time they were made. America is portrayed as "active, capable, and intelligent." The female figure of America, dressed in a flowing gown, sits on a throne. Her torso turned to the proper left, her right arm outstretched, her left arm with cloak drapery held in her hand is stretched out to the side and back. In her proper right hand she holds a torch. Across her lap/proper right leg is a large balanced sheaf of corn and below the sheaf of corn on America's proper right side is an eagle. The eagle's chest faces the rear; his head is turned to the front of the statue. At her proper left, below her outstretched proper left arm, is the figure (Labor) of a kneeling man with a winged wheel under his outstretched proper right hand. The figure of Labor represents innovation and industrialization; settign in motion a winged wheel of Fortune in one hand and holding a magnet and prism, tools of knowledge, in the other. Behind the central figure's proper right shoulder stands an indian wearing an elaborate feather headdress which flows down the backside of the sculpture. In the back proper left corner is a large ornate fragmented urn. In the center at the top of the statue is a stylized bird. The statue of America is made from at least six (6) sections of Tennessee "marble". A carved base is part of the carved sculpture. On the proper right side of the base, near the rear edge, the letters "D.C. FRENCH S.C." are engraved. Below this, there is a second series of engraved letters which read "A.A. Weinman ASST"; these letters are almost illegible. The alignment between the large carved stone sections and the granite base is fairly regular around all sides (source: 100 Years of Grandeur The Alexander Hamilton United States Custom House).
