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Capitol's first new statuary in 80 years
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By Michelle Brooks
mbrooks@newstribune.com
See also: Dedication of new Lewis and Clark Trailhead Plaza
The Corps of Discovery Monument could be the first statue of significance at the Capitol Complex in 80 years, said historian Bob Priddy.
“It's really an outstanding addition to the Capitol Complex,” Priddy said.
Other exterior statues at the Capitol include the Fraser statues of Jefferson, Lewis, and Clark; the signing of the treaty, the Fountain of the Centaurs, Ceres on the dome and the Aitken figures of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers on the cheek blocks at the south front. Most of these were installed in the mid to late 1920s.
One could argue the Revenue Building Bear, installed in the 1950s, is a statue, Priddy said. And the Statue of Liberty replica was recovered from the basement and re-installed in the mid-1980s.
And the interior boasts sculpture, busts and paintings of many Missouri history scenes.
The Lewis and Clark expedition and its companion the Louisiana Purchase are well represented amidst these decorations, Priddy said.
The new monument “adds a dramatic new dimension to tell that story,” Priddy added. “And it's a very fitting and proper location.”
The original artwork commissioned by the decoration commission was the benefit of more than $1 million surplus from a state tax for the building of the third state Capitol in Jefferson City.
Conversely, a significant portion of the Corps of Discovery monument funds were raised privately and locally.
“The (commission's) goal is to portray the history of Missouri and this carries it on,” Priddy said.
“Limestone or bronze, it plugs into the same philosophy - the decoration reflects the history and culture of the state.”
Priddy's 450-page coffee table book on the history of the state Capitol and its decorations should be available by late 2009.
“It's really an outstanding addition to the Capitol Complex,” Priddy said.
Other exterior statues at the Capitol include the Fraser statues of Jefferson, Lewis, and Clark; the signing of the treaty, the Fountain of the Centaurs, Ceres on the dome and the Aitken figures of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers on the cheek blocks at the south front. Most of these were installed in the mid to late 1920s.
One could argue the Revenue Building Bear, installed in the 1950s, is a statue, Priddy said. And the Statue of Liberty replica was recovered from the basement and re-installed in the mid-1980s.
And the interior boasts sculpture, busts and paintings of many Missouri history scenes.
The Lewis and Clark expedition and its companion the Louisiana Purchase are well represented amidst these decorations, Priddy said.
The new monument “adds a dramatic new dimension to tell that story,” Priddy added. “And it's a very fitting and proper location.”
The original artwork commissioned by the decoration commission was the benefit of more than $1 million surplus from a state tax for the building of the third state Capitol in Jefferson City.
Conversely, a significant portion of the Corps of Discovery monument funds were raised privately and locally.
“The (commission's) goal is to portray the history of Missouri and this carries it on,” Priddy said.
“Limestone or bronze, it plugs into the same philosophy - the decoration reflects the history and culture of the state.”
Priddy's 450-page coffee table book on the history of the state Capitol and its decorations should be available by late 2009.
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hmarie775 wrote on Jun 9, 2008 3:05 PM:
I think he means the Jefferson Building. I never have understood the signficance of that bear, I think it's kind of silly myself, but it does make for a great landmark...you know..the building with the bear in front...LOL. "