The Patriots - Baton Rouge, LA - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

"Ten mourners stand around a large armored knight who stands on the coffin of a fallen hero. The knight wears a helmet, and a cape over his armor. He holds the handle of a sword with both hands, the point of which rests at his feet. The figures surrounding the coffin are led by an elderly couple on the proper right, and on the proper left, a man holding a hat over his heart. A wreath and palm rest on the coffin. The sculpture is mounted on a massive, tiered base that is attached to a building."
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"The Patriots monument honors those who died defending our home and rights."
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The state capitol wall nearby reads: "The instruments which we have just signed will cause no tears to be shed; they prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures." It is a quote by Robert R. Livingston from May 3rd, 1803 after signing the treaty purchasing Louisiana from France. Livingston was one of the Committee of Five which drafted the Declaration of Independence. While serving as the US Minister to France, he negotiated the Louisiana Purchase.
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According to Wikipedia, this statue (The Patriots) and it's counterpart (The Pioneers) on the other side of the state capital steps were the last major commission before his death in 1936.

A neat model of this statue can be found here: (visit link)

"Lorado Zadok Taft (April 29, 1860, in Elmwood, Illinois – October 30, 1936, in Chicago) was an American sculptor, writer and educator. His 1903 book, The History of American Sculpture, was the first survey of the subject and stood for decades as the standard reference. He has been credited with helping to advance the status of women as sculptors."
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TITLE: The Patriots ARTIST(S): Lorado Zadoc Taft DATE: 1932 MEDIUM: Sculpture: limestone. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS LA000389 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Front steps of Louisiana State Capitol, 900 N 3rd St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: Wikipedia has the sculptor's middle name as Zaddok instead of Zaddoc.

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