Wisconsin (statue)
Encyclopedia
Wisconsin on top of the Wisconsin Capitol Building created by Daniel Chester French
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The Wisconsin statue on the dome was sculpted during 1920 by Daniel Chester French of New York
.
Initially the statue of Wisconsin on the top of the dome was promised to Helen Farnsworth Mears
but when Daniel Chester French
agreed to produce the finial figure, the commission was switched to him. This work, often referred to as the "Golden Lady," consists of an allegorical figure reminiscent of Athena
, dressed in Greek garb, her right arm outstretched to symbolize the state motto, "Forward", and wearing a helmet topped by a badger
, the Wisconsin state totem. In the left hand it holds a globe with an eagle perched on top. Across the eagle's chest is a large W, for Wisconsin, a detail hard to discern "Wisconsin" is 15 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs three tons.
Daniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French was an American sculptor. His best-known work is the sculpture of a seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.-Life and career:...
.
The Wisconsin statue on the dome was sculpted during 1920 by Daniel Chester French of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
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Initially the statue of Wisconsin on the top of the dome was promised to Helen Farnsworth Mears
Helen Farnsworth Mears
Helen Farnsworth Mears was an American sculptor.-Early life and career:Mears was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and studied at the State Normal School in Oshkosh, and art in New York City and Paris...
but when Daniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French was an American sculptor. His best-known work is the sculpture of a seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.-Life and career:...
agreed to produce the finial figure, the commission was switched to him. This work, often referred to as the "Golden Lady," consists of an allegorical figure reminiscent of Athena
Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
, dressed in Greek garb, her right arm outstretched to symbolize the state motto, "Forward", and wearing a helmet topped by a badger
Badger
Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are nine species of badger, in three subfamilies : Melinae , Mellivorinae , and Taxideinae...
, the Wisconsin state totem. In the left hand it holds a globe with an eagle perched on top. Across the eagle's chest is a large W, for Wisconsin, a detail hard to discern "Wisconsin" is 15 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs three tons.