Abraham Lincoln (relief by Schwarz)

Last updated
Abraham Lincoln commemorative plaque
Lincoln Plaque by Rudolf Schwarz (1907) Control IAS IN000016.jpg
Abraham Lincoln (relief by Schwarz)
ArtistRudolph Schwarz (sculptor) and Marie Stewart (designer)
Year1906
Typebronze plaque set in limestone
Dimensions170 cm× 89 cm(65 in× 35 in)
LocationIndianapolis, IN
Coordinates 39°46′2.71″N86°9′54.48″W / 39.7674194°N 86.1651333°W / 39.7674194; -86.1651333
OwnerState of Indiana

The Abraham Lincoln commemorative plaque is a work of public art designed by Marie Stewart in 1906, created by Rudolph Schwarz, and dedicated on 12 February 1907.

Contents

The bronze plaque is set in a limestone base and stands near the Indiana Government Center South, at the intersection of West Washington and South Missouri Streets in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Stewart, an Indianapolis high school student, submitted the winning entry in a citywide design contest to commemorate Lincoln's visit to Indianapolis on 11 February 1861. Lincoln was traveling to Washington D.C. for his inauguration and first term as president of the United States. The bronze plaque's relief depicts Lincoln's profile in a medallion at the center; the U.S. Capitol is on the proper left; a log cabin is on the proper right. The plaque's inscription quotes a speech that Lincoln delivered on 11 February 1861 in Indianapolis. The base remains rough, with the exception of a carved Corinthian column and capital adhered to the southeast corner.

Description

The rectangular, coated-bronze plaque measures approximately 65 in. x 37 in. x 1 1/3 in.; it is set in a rough-hewn limestone base measuring approximately 89 in x 54 in. x 39 in. [1] A relief comprises the upper one-third, 17 inches (43 centimeters), of the plaque. At its center a medallion has relief of Abraham Lincoln's proper right profile; he does not have a beard. A relief of the U.S. Capitol appears on the proper left side; a tree and a log cabin are on the proper right side. A large palm frond beneath the medallion extends to the proper left. A shield with an eagle design is on the proper left, below the Capitol building. [1] The log cabin represents Lincoln's boyhood home in southern Indiana; the Capitol building relates to his future as president of the United States. Lincoln's profile faces the Capitol. The lower two-thirds of the plaque bears an inscription in raised, capital letters: [1]

Here Feb 11 1861 Abraham Lincoln on his way to Washington to assume the Presidency in an address said: "I appeal to you to constantly bear in mind that not with politicians not with presidents not with office seekers but with you is the question: Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the latest generations?" [1]

The base is rough-hewn limestone with the exception of the southeast corner, where stonework adhered to the base is finished in the style of a Corinthian column and capital [1] and gives the base an overall appearance of a single, solid piece. The plaque is affixed to the base with four large bolts on each corner of the inscription. There are no visible foundry marks. The memorial was surveyed in October 1992 as part of the Save Outdoor Sculpture project, in conjunction with the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture. The monument's condition at that time was described as well maintained. [1]

Historical information

In 1906 the Commercial Club of Indianapolis, a forerunner to the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, [2] hosted a citywide contest for students to design a plaque to commemorate President-elect Lincoln's visit to Indianapolis on 11 February 1861. [1] Lincoln traveled by train from his home in Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration and first term as president of the United States and stayed overnight in Indianapolis. [3] [4] Marie Stewart, an Indianapolis high school student, submitted the winning design to commemorate the event. [1] [4] Sculptor Rudolf Schwarz executed Stewart's design for the bronze plaque, which was dedicated in 1907. [1] [5]

Location history

The plaque was originally installed at the Claypool Hotel, which stood on the site of the Bates House, at the corner of Illinois and Washington Streets in Indianapolis. [4] [6] Lincoln stayed at the Bates House during his 1861 visit and spoke to a crowd from one of the hotel balconies. [7] Lincoln's remarks urged Americans to preserve the Union; however, the American Civil War began two months later. [3] The plaque commemorating Lincoln's visit was dedicated at the hotel on 12 February 1907. [1] [4]

After the Claypool Hotel was demolished in 1969, the plaque was installed on a new base designed by Benno Schum and relocated to the west, near the intersection of Washington and Missouri Streets. [1] [4] Lincoln delivered a speech near this location when his arrived in Indianapolis on 11 February 1861; the commemorative plaque contains a quote from Lincoln's response to Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton's welcoming address. [8] [9] [10] The plaque was rededicated on 12 February 1971. [1] [4]

The monument was removed when construction began on a new state office building in 1988; it was reinstalled in 1991 at nearly the same site after the Indiana Government Center South was completed. [1] [4] [11] The memorial is located on the building's south side, near the intersection of West Washington and South Missouri Streets. [1] [4] The monument is owned and administered by the State of Indiana, Department of Administration. [1]

Artist

Marie Stewart, a student at Indianapolis's Shortridge High School, submitted the winning entry in a citywide contest to design the commemorative plaque. [1] [4] Vienna-born sculptor Rudolf Schwarz, who came to Indianapolis in 1897, created the bronze plaque in 1907. [1] [5] Schwarz is known for crafting the limestone sculptures at the base of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Indianapolis's Monument Circle; [12] the bronze statue for the Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton monument on the east side of the Indiana Statehouse; [13] and sculptures for American Civil War memorials in several Indiana counties. [14] [15] Benno Schum fabricated a new base for the plaque when it was relocated to Indianapolis's West Washington Street in 1971. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Indianapolis)</span> Monument and historic site in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

The Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a 284 ft 6 in (86.72 m) tall neoclassical monument built on Monument Circle, a circular, brick-paved street that intersects Meridian and Market streets in the center of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. In the years since its public dedication on May 15, 1902, the monument has become an iconic symbol of Indianapolis, the state capital of Indiana. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 13, 1973 and was included in an expansion of the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza National Historic Landmark District in December 2016. It is located in the Washington Street-Monument Circle Historic District. It is also the largest outdoor memorial and the largest of its kind in Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana World War Memorial Plaza</span> Historic district in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is an urban feature and war memorial located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, originally built to honor the veterans of World War I. It was conceived in 1919 as a location for the national headquarters of the American Legion and a memorial to the state's and nation's veterans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Morton</span> Civil War training area in Indianapolis, IN, US

Camp Morton was a military training ground and a Union prisoner-of-war camp in Indianapolis, Indiana, during the American Civil War. It was named for Indiana governor Oliver Morton. Prior to the war, the site served as the fairgrounds for the Indiana State Fair. During the war, Camp Morton was initially used as a military training ground. The first Union troops arrived at the camp in April 1861. After the fall of Fort Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh, the site was converted into a prisoner-of-war camp. The first Confederate prisoners arrived at Camp Morton on February 22, 1862; its last prisoners were paroled on June 12, 1865. At the conclusion of the war, the property resumed its role as the fairgrounds for the Indiana State Fair. In 1891 the property was sold and developed into a residential neighborhood known as Morton Place, a part of the Herron-Morton Place Historic District.

<i>Landmark for Peace Memorial</i> Memorial sculpture in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

The Landmark for Peace is a memorial sculpture in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park on the northside of Indianapolis. It honors the contributions of the slain leaders Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The memorial, which features Kennedy and King reaching out to each other, was designed and executed by Indiana artist Greg Perry. The bronze portraits were created by Indianapolis sculptor Daniel Edwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Monument (Wabash, Indiana)</span>

The Lincoln Monument of Wabash, Indiana or The Great Emancipator is a public sculpture by Charles Keck, a sculptor who was born in New York City. The cast bronze sculpture was commissioned by Wabash-native Alexander New and donated to the city of Wabash, Indiana, in 1932. It has remained on view at the northeast corner of the Wabash County Courthouse lawn ever since.

<i>Untitled (Jazz Musicians)</i>

Untitled (Jazz Musicians) is an outdoor sculpture by American artist John Spaulding. It is located on the border of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus, near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, at the corner intersection of Indiana Avenue and West Street. The sculpture faces the historic Madam Walker Legacy Center, which is located across the street.

<i>Thomas A. Hendricks Monument</i> Public artwork by Richard Henry Park

The Thomas A. Hendricks Monument is a public artwork by American artist Richard Henry Park and is located on the southeast corner of the Indiana Statehouse grounds in Indianapolis, Indiana. The monument is a tribute to Thomas A. Hendricks, the 21st Vice President of the United States. Hendricks was a former U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Indiana. He was the 16th Governor of Indiana and led the campaign to build the Indiana Statehouse.

The Hildebrand Monument is a public artwork fabricated by Joyce & Diener and located at Crown Hill National Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. The monument marks the graves of Henry W. Hildebrand and his three children, William H., Louisa E., and George H. Hildebrand. It features an eighteen-foot column mounted on a rectangular base made of granite with a cornice that is peaked and a tiered bottom section. On top of the cornice is a full-sized statue of Henry W. Hildebrand wearing a frockcoat. In his left hand is an anchor and his right hand is upraised in the air. Behind him is a tree stump.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Henry F. Schricker</span> Public artwork by David K. Rubins

Bust of Henry F. Schricker, is a public artwork by American artist David K. Rubins, located in the Indiana State House, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a bronze bust of former Indiana governor Henry F. Schricker. The bust and its base are 49 inches high, 29 inches wide, and 22 inches long. The bust itself is 33.5 inches high on a 15.5 inch high base. It was installed in the southeast alcove of the Indiana State House in 1964 and faces east.

<i>Christopher Columbus</i> (Vittori) Public artwork by Enrico Vittori

Christopher Columbus is a public artwork by Italian artist Enrico Vittori and located on the grounds of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture was installed on the southwest corner of the Indiana Statehouse lawn in 1920 as a gift from Italian immigrant communities in Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of William H. English</span>

William H. English is a public artwork by an unknown artist, located in a niche on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse, which is in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America.

<i>Oliver P. Morton</i> (monument) Public artwork by Rudolph Schwarz

Oliver P. Morton and Reliefs is a public artwork by Austrian artist Rudolph Schwarz, located on the east side of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the intersection of North Capitol Avenue and West Market Street.

<i>Coal Miner</i> (statue) Statue by John J. Szaton

Coal Miner is a public artwork by Polish American artist John J. Szaton (1907–1966) which is located in two US State capitals; the original, commissioned in 1963 in Springfield, Illinois, as well as a copy on the west lawn of the Indiana State House in Indianapolis The statues commemorate coal miners who had lost their lives in those states' mining industry. The 7-foot (2.1 m) tall statue rests on a 3-foot (0.91 m) square, granite base supported by a cement foundation that is 4–6 inches (100–150 mm) thick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust of Abraham Lincoln (Indianapolis)</span> Public artwork by Thomas Dow Jones

Abraham Lincoln is a public artwork by American sculptor and medallist Thomas Dow Jones, located in the Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The painted plaster bust of Abraham Lincoln that resides in the Indiana Statehouse is a copy of an 1861 clay bust. Several versions of the bust exist in plaster, marble, and bronze mediums.

<i>Stumbling Man</i> Outdoor sculpture by David K. Rubins

Stumbling Man is an outdoor sculpture by American artist David K. Rubins (1902–1985) located on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), which is near downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The sculpture is cast bronze and is in the shape of a man crouched upon the ground.

<i>Nymph and Fawn</i> Public artwork by Isidore Konti

Nymph and Fawn is a public artwork by American artist Isidore Konti and located within the Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens estate on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), near Indianapolis, Indiana. Created in 1917, the bronze sculpture is also a working fountain. It portrays a female nude pouring water from an urn while standing beside a small fawn.

<i>Abraham Lincoln: The Hoosier Youth</i> Sculpture by Paul Manship

Abraham Lincoln, The Hoosier Youth is a heroic bronze sculpture by American artist Paul Manship and was commissioned in 1928 by the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company for its headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The statue is 12.5 feet (3.8 m) tall and sits atop a pedestal designed by architect Benjamin Wistar Morris and a granite base. The sculpture depicts a youthful Abraham Lincoln during the time he lived in Indiana. The Lincoln figure wears a handmade shirt, buckskin trousers, and boots. He is seated on a tree stump and holds a book. An ax leans against his leg and a dog is seated beside him. Manship also sculpted four bronze allegorical bas reliefs, one for each side of the pedestal, to represent traits associated with Lincoln: Charity, Fortitude, Justice and Patriotism. The statue was dedicated on 16 September 1932.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudolf Schwarz (sculptor)</span> American sculptor

Rudolf Schwarz, sometimes spelled Rudolph Schwarz, was an Austrian-born American sculptor. He emigrated to Indianapolis in December 1897 to help complete the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Indianapolis, Indiana, which was designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz. He was invited to work on the project by Karl Bitter, with whom he had worked in Austria.

<i>Soldiers and Sailors Monument</i> (Delphi, Indiana)

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is a work of public art in Delphi, Indiana in the United States. It is located at the Carroll County Courthouse, and comprises the collection on the National Register of Historic Places listing making up the courthouse and the square.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Lincoln Plaque, (sculpture)". Smithsonian American Art Museum. 1992. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Bodenhamer, David J.; Robert G. Barrow, eds. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. p. 399–400. ISBN   0-253-31222-1.
  3. 1 2 Bodenhamer and Barrows, p. 311.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Greiff, Glory-June (2005). Remembrance, Faith & and Fancy: Outdoor Public Sculpture in Indiana. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press. p. 26 and 165–66. ISBN   0-87195-180-0.
  5. 1 2 Greiff, p. 224
  6. ↑ Indianapolis Monthly, October 2006, p. 122.
  7. ↑ Mr. Lincoln Visits Indianapolis: A Commemorative Program, February 11, 1955. Indianapolis, IN: The Claypool Hotel. 1955. p. back cover.
  8. ↑ Basler, Roy P., ed. (1953). The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Vol. 4. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. pp. 193–194.
  9. ↑ "Lincoln to the Citizens of Indiana". historical marker. Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Historical Society. 11 Feb 1961. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  10. ↑ Mr. Lincoln Visits Indianapolis: A Commemorative Program, February 11, 1955, p. 4.
  11. ↑ Taylor, Jr., Robert M.; Errol Wayne Stevens; Mary Ann Ponder; Paul Brockman (1989). Indiana: A New Historical Guide. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. p. 397. ISBN   0-87195-048-0.
  12. ↑ Probst, George Theodore, and Eberhard Reichmann. The Germans in Indianapolis, 1840–1918. Indianapolis: German-American Center and the Indiana German Heritage Society, 1989. p. 101.
  13. ↑ State of Indiana. Dedication Ceremonies of Morton Statue and Monument. Indianapolis: William B. Burford, 1907. p. 14.
  14. ↑ Selm, William L. "Soldiers and Sailors Monument." In The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Edited by David J. Bodenhamer and Robert Graham Barrows. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994. p 1279.
  15. ↑ Schwartz's sculptures for war memorials are located on courthouse squares in Mount Vernon, Posey County, Indiana; Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana; Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana; Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana; Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana; Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana; South Bend, Saint Joseph County, Indiana. See Taylor, p. 245, 273, 377, and 391; and Greiff, p. 125, 142–43, 201, and 224.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.