Labour - Ottawa, Ontario - Epic Beings and Creatures on Waymarking.com

The monument of Alexander Mackenzie on Parliament Hill features allegorical figures on the base and is the work of Louis-Philippe Hebert. The contract for the Mackenzie monument, which included a standing portrait figure of Mackenzie and two allegorical figures on the pedestal, was awarded to Hebert for $14,000. The completed monument was installed without ceremony in the summer of 1901.

For the Mackenzie figure Hebert used the same heroic stance and solemn bearing he had for the figures of Cartier and Macdonald. Dressed in frock coat and trousers, the standing figure is shown in the act of oration (fig. 4). Mackenzie's left arm hangs at his side, with papers held in his hand; his right arm is bent at ninety degrees, and his hand is extended as if making a point to his audience. Again, the toe of the left shoe projects slightly over the edge of the pedestal. Because Mackenzie's term in office lacked any striking events, it was impossible for Hebert to surround the figure with attributes attesting to the prime minister's glory. Instead he emphasized Mackenzie's moral character through the inclusion of two allegorical figures: Labour, "emblem of intelligent, industry and sound judgement.

The male allegorical figure on the Mackenzie monument is described by Terry Guernsey as a "young Pythagoras," whose attributes include a compass and plumb rule, meant to represent the values of industry and judgement while also referring to Mackenzie's past as a building contractor and minister of public works. The reclining youth on the right front of the pedestal is joined by the standing female allegory of Probity on the left front. This sculptural grouping of figures - that is the heroic male figure on top with two allegorical figures beneath - offers an illustration of Ian Brice's written description of late Victorian manliness as being "redefined, from spiritual and moral maturity (opposed to childishness), to a hearty, active assertiveness and toughness osed to femininity)." In other words, the manliness of the figure atop the monument is defined in opposition to that which it is not - neither a woman nor a child as represented by the two allegorical figures below.

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Alexander Mackenzie: (visit link)

Time Period: Modern Epic Type: Mythical Exhibit Type: Figure, Statue, 3D Art Approximate Date of Epic Period: Not listed

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