Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
Europe
Artist
Daniel Chester French
Year1907
Classification
sculpture
Medium
Tennessee marble
Dimensions9' 8" high
Credits
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
U.S. General Services Administration
- The sculpture of Europe was the first completed group of the four piece series depicting "The Continents" by Daniel Chester French. This work identifies Europe as the embodiment of civilization - "She is a refined, enlightened maritime ruler who, here, and in the traditional iconography, wears a crown." Europe is a central female figure seated upright upon a throne. She wears a crown and is costumed in a draped gown adorned with historic coats-of-arms. Her hand grasps the prow of one of three ships, suggesting her commanding rule over the seas. The three ship prows reach toward the figure, concluding in traditional carved figureheads depicting a lion, eagle, and bear - representative of the three leading countries of Europe at the time. The throne itself is enveloped in the structure of the ships, with the figureheads serving as the back upon which the figure of Europe rests. Nautical motifs decorate the boat forms and make complete the allusion to the historic maritime power of the European nations. Her left arm lies upon an open book, which itself rests upon a globe, signifying the dissemination of learning throughout the world. A hooded figure representing Ancient History "reads a scroll and holds in her hand a laurel-crowned skull. At her feet are crowns, - of her dead kings." On the rear of the grouping sits a Roman Imperial eagle & bishop's crozier, symbolizing the power of Rome and the subsequent dominance of Christianity. Reliefs on the side of the throne are academic quotes relating to ancient bas reliefs - the one on the right quotes portions of a work in the Parthenon; the work on the left side of the throne is drawn from a 2nd century work that may have been familiar to French because it had been cast in plaster for popular commercial sale during the late 19th century. The statue of Europe was formed from at least six large sections of Tennessee marble. On the side of the base near the rear edge, the letters "D.C. French S.C." are engraved, and below French's signature are those of his assistant: "A.A. Weinman ASST"
