Preparing Her Son - Nauvoo, IL - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

While the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center has visiting hours, the Monument to Women Memorial Garden is always open - and free. There are thirteen life-size sculptures in the Memorial Garden.

"In an age of heightened interest in the role of women, the Nauvoo garden of sculptures is dedicated to women of the past, present, and future. The statues, which were dedicated in 1978, identify some of the significant dimensions of a woman’s life.

The memorial consists of a heroic central sculpture of a woman, enhanced by twelve life-sized figures expressing the widely varied nature of women’s vital roles in society. The display may well be the largest commissioned display of sculpture in the world dedicated to women." (visit link)

This sculpture depicts a woman in a long floor-length dress, with long sleeves, standing behind her son, with both hands on his shoulders. The boy is dressed in pants and a short sleeve, button up shirt. He stands about shoulder height to his mother. His right hand is down at his side, with his left hand planted on his waist. From his look, and hers, she's done a fine job raising him. The plaque at the base of the statue reads:

Preparing Her Son
“My son, keep they father’s commandment, and
forsake not the law of thy mother.”
Proverbs 6:20
Dennis Smith, Sculptor

"Dennis Smith is as much a philosopher as he is an artist. His work is a window into who he is and his views on life. His impressionistic style captures his exuberance for life and embodies his passion for transcendence - expressed through the spontaneity of children, reflections of the past, and hopes for the future.

At the heart of Dennis' work is the spirit of the human soul. We often see this represented through the innocence of childhood. To Dennis, the child is a metaphor for life. Children's lives, as they explore the world around them, parallel our lives as adults as we discover our identity in this universe. Each piece by Dennis Smith captures this spirit, still virbrant and alive, frozen in the moment of discovery." (visit link)

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Preparing Her Son Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Dennis Smith Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1/1/1978 Materials used: Bronze Location: Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center, Monument to Women Memorial Garden

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/24/2012 Chasing Blue Sky visited it 03/09/2012 BruceS visited it

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