
The Four Continents: America - NYC, NY
Posted by:
Metro2
N 40° 42.261 W 074° 00.825
18T E 583315 N 4506405
This is one of four sculputres by Daniel Chester French on the steps of the former U.S. Custom House which is now the National Museum of the American Indian.
Waymark Code: WMJMG2
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 12/04/2013
Views: 14
The former U.S. Custom House, now a Museum, Court and Archives, was constructed 1902?1907. The Beaux-Arts style building is chock full of scultures, reliefs and murals. Four large sculptures on the front steps represent the four continents of Asia, Europe, America and Africa. This one represents the Americas and is to the immediate right of the entrance. The artist is Daniel Chester French.
The Smithsonian Inventory (
visit link) provides this description:
"Medium: Sculpture: Tennessee marble; Base: granite.
Dimensions: Sculpture: approx. 9 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft. x 11 ft.; Base: approx. 8 ft. x 7 ft. 4 in. x 10 ft. 2 in.
Inscription: D.C. French Sc./A.A. Weinman Asst. signed
Description: A seated female with a torch in her right hand. At her left side kneels a male figure representing Labor turning a wheel which represents Progress. Behind her right shoulder crouches a male Indian."