Brothers - Spotsylvania VA - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

"Brothers", a bronze sculpture by Gary Casteel, depicts a Confederate soldier and Union soldier hugging each other on a battlefield. It represents one of the realities of the American Civil War -- brothers and other family members often fought on opposite sides. The sculpture symbolizes the "real possibility of familial recognition by opposing soldiers, one Union, one Confederate, but brothers"¹ after a battle.

The sculpture was commissioned by Bill Vakos, a developer from Fredericksburg, VA for the Civil War's 150th anniversary, who said, "The very moving statue is meant to mean different things to different people. For me, it is a simple and profound tribute to the common, everyday person who answered the call, left home and family and took part in an epic struggle, as warriors have done throughout the ages. The image displays fatigue and grief, but also hope and solace that it is over and that a future lies ahead of hope and promise for a unified country bound together in liberty and individual dreams that is America today."²

"Brothers" was on loan to the Virginia Capitol in 2011 for the sesquicentennial of the first convening of the Confederate Congress in Richmond.³ Today, it is on permanent display at the Spotsylvania County Museum near where the battles of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Court House were fought.

¹ :: Gary Casteel :: - Commissions: Brothers
² Old Virginia Blog: Congratulations To Sculptor Gary Casteel!
³ ‘Brothers’ in Va. Capitol for Civil War’s 150th - The Journal

Additional link of interest:

• Photographs of the casting of "Brothers"

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Brothers Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Gary Casteel Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 2010 Materials used: Cast in bronze Location: Spotsylvania County Museum

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