Father Damien (Sculpture) - Honolulu, Oahu, HI - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Father Damien de Veuster was a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium. He came to Hawaii in 1864 to serve as a missionary and is best known for his work on the island of Molokai, where he worked among lepers suffering from Hansen's disease. He died of leprosy in 1889. In Catholicism, Father Damien is the spiritual patron of the outcast and those afflicted with AIDS and HIV.

The statue by New York sculptor Marisol Escobar, depicts Father Damien standing, holding a cane, wearing a brimmed hat, glasses, beard, and a long cloak over clerical robes. An arm sling, with decorative detail of a Hawaiian fabric is visible under his cloak. Marisol did two casts, one is located here at the Hawaii State Capitol, the other is located in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.

The statue was commissioned in 1967, installed in 1968 and officially unveiled in 1969 — 80 years after Father Damien died in Kalaupapa. Hawaii celebrates Father Damien Day annually, created by an act of the Hawaii State Legislature. On that day, the statue in Honolulu is ceremoniously draped in leis followed by solemn song and prayer.

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TITLE: Father Damien, (sculpture) ARTIST(S): Marisol Escobar DATE: 1967 Installed 1968 MEDIUM: Bronze CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 87600014 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: 415 S Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: The full name of the sculptor is Marisol Escobar from New York

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