FIRST - Statue of a Public Figure in Boston - Boston, MA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member silverquill
N 42° 21.460 W 071° 03.576
19T E 330383 N 4691543
These four bas-relief panels are mounted on the base of a statue of Benjamin Franklin in front of Boston's Old City Hall. They depict for scenes from Franklin's life. Two were created by Richard S. Greenough, and two by Thomas Ball.
Waymark Code: WME1MG
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 03/22/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member martycook
Views: 19
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This is probably one of the most visited and photographed statues in Boston as it is along the famous self-guided "Freedom Trail." Although originally placed at Bulfinch's Courthouse, dedicated Sept. 17, 1856, it was relocated to the newly built city and rededicated on Sept. 18, 1865. The relief plaques were added sometime between 1856-1857. This was the first statue of a public figure erected in the city of Boston, in honor of the sesquincentennial of Franklin's birth.

This eight-foot statue of Franklin is the work of noted American sculptor, Richard Saltonstall Greenough, 1819-1904, who also created the front and back panels. The other two panels are the work of famed American sculptor Thomas Ball (1819-1911), whose best known sculpture is of George Washington on horseback located in the Boston Common. All four panels were cast by the Ames Mfg. Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts.

The Old City Hall was completed in 1865, an early example of Second Empire style architecture, and was in active use until 1969 when a new, larger facility was built. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971, and has received a number of architectural preservation awards including, Award for Preservation, Boston Society of Architects (1973), Honor Award, American Institute of Architects (1976), National Preservation Honor Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation (1990)[See: Old City Hall and FA+A Architects

References:

Smithsonian Art Inventory Catalog
Old City Hall
DCMemorials
Boston Discovery Guide
Wikipedia: Old City Hall (Boston)
Wikipedia: Richard Saltonstall Greenough
Wikipedia: Thomas Ball (artist)
Wikipedia: Benjamin Franklin
FA+A Architects

Benjamin Franklin in print shop
front panel by Richard S. Greenough


Benjamin Franklin with kite shop
rear panel by Richard S. Greenough


Benjamin Franklin with Declaration of Independence
side panel by Thomas Ball


Benjamin Franklin at Treaty of Paris
side panel by Thomas Ball


Type of documentation of superlative status: web site

Location of coordinates: base of statue

Web Site: [Web Link]
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