
Thatcher Memorial Fountain - Denver, CO
Posted by:
Outspoken1
N 39° 44.691 W 104° 57.410
13S E 503698 N 4399439
Thatcher Memorial (aka State of Colorado) Memorial Fountain
Waymark Code: WM8BVZ
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 03/08/2010
Views: 4
The Thatcher Memorial Fountain, N. end of the Esplanade, just within the park, consists of bronze figures representing 'Love,' 'Loyalty,' and 'Learning,' the work of Lorado Taft, surmounting a basin of Colorado granite. [page 147], [photo between pages 276 and 277]
Colorado. A Guide to the Highest State, 1941
This majestic fountain located in Denver's largest park, City Park, had not been restored in years. For many decades, the pumps did not even work. Then Denver won the bid for the 2008 National Democratic Convention! Money was found to restore many formerly neglected Colorado treasures. This was one of the most thorough restorations prior to the convention. The Smithsonian description covers the detail of this glorious monument:
Colossal central figure representing the state of Colorado is circled by three smaller figure groups representing the virtues of the state of Colorado: Loyalty, Learning and Love. The central figure is bronze and stands on a granite base; the figure groups are bronze and are set at the base of central figure, around a marble fountain. Fountain spouts are located between the three groups, with water falling into a circular pool around the whole sculptural group. The central figure is a robed woman holding the sword of state and shield of Colorado. Loyalty consists of a standing male figure of a knight, wearing armor and leaning upon his broadsword. On his proper left is the female figure of peace with an olive branch in her hand. On the knight's proper right is a helmet with laurels representing his past victories. Learning consists of a standing, robed, female figure, turning her head to her proper right towards a young boy. The boy looks at the woman while he leans his proper right elbow upon a closed book. On the woman's proper left is a young girl perched upon a pile of books while she writes upon a slate. Love depicts a female figure standing at center with a male on her proper left. The woman's eyes are lowered modestly. A small figure of cupid sits on the woman's proper left. http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!14452!0