Dauntless Guardian

Dauntless Guardian
Artist	Jeune Nowak Wussow
Year	1984
Type	bronze
Dimensions	300 cm(120 in)
Location	4141 W Mill Rd., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates	43°8′1.42″N87°57′53.343″W / 43.1337278°N 87.96481750°W / 43.1337278; -87.96481750
Owner	City of Milwaukee

The Dauntless Guardian is a public art work by American artist Jeune Nowak Wussow, located on the northwest side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ^[1] The bronze figurative sculpture depicts a child being rescued by a firefighter. It is located at 4141 West Mill Road at Milwaukee Fire Department Engine Company #9.

Description

The firefighter is depicted wearing a uniform and helmet. He reaches up with both arms to lift a small child from a windowsill. The child grasps the windowsill with one hand and reaches toward the fireman with the other. ^[1]

Historical information

Wussow was awarded the commission for Dauntless Guardian after competing unsuccessfully for a previous City of Milwaukee Percent for Art commission opportunity. According to the Milwaukee Journal , Alderman James Kondziella kept Wussow's maquette on his desk at City Hall following the first competition and recommended her when his district was building a new fire station. ^[2]

Wussow was inspired to create Dauntless Guardian after talking with firefighters about their jobs as she "went from one station house to another." ^[2]

The sculpture was dedicated on October 8, 1984.

References

1. "Dauntless Guardian, (sculpture)". Art Inventories Catalog-SIRIS. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
2. Bauer, Fran (February 9, 1983). "Child's Rescue Depicted in Statue for Firehouse". Milwaukee Journal.