Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, born Ireland, 1848–1907). <em>Replica of the Winged Figure from the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial</em>, 1884–1897. Gilded bronze, 34 3/4 x 118 7/8 x 11 1/8 in. (88.3 x 301.9 x 28.3 cm) [irregular]. Brooklyn Museum, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 23.288.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 23.288.1_cropped_reference.jpg)

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, born Ireland, 1848–1907). Replica of the Winged Figure from the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, 1884–1897. Gilded bronze, 34 3/4 x 118 7/8 x 11 1/8 in. (88.3 x 301.9 x 28.3 cm) [irregular]. Brooklyn Museum, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 23.288.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 23.288.1_cropped_reference.jpg)

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Please tell me more about the significance of this figure.

It is a figure of "Victory" and was cast from the fourth version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens's memorial to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, commander of the Massachusetts Fifty-fourth—the first black regiment raised in the North and best remembered for its assault on Fort Wagner, North Carolina, in 1863.

On dedication day of the original memorial in Boston in 1897, Booker T. Washington proclaimed that "the full measure of the fruit of Fort Wagner and all that this monument stands for will not be realized until every man covered with a black skin shall by patient and natural effort, grow to that height of industry, property, intelligence and moral responsibility, where no man in all our land will be tempted to degrade himself by withholding from his black brother any opportunity which he himself would possess. Until that time comes, the monument will stand for effort, not victory complete."

What does this work symbolize?

This is a copy of a winged figure from Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment in Boston.

This angel is an allegorical figure representing "glory," and it flies over Robert Gould Shaw (seated on horseback) in the full memorial. It signifies the valiant behavior of the regiment but it also grieves for the lost soldiers.

Who is the artist?

That was made by Augustus Saint-Gaudens (who also sculpted the statue of Lincoln in the center of the room).

The angel holds two symbolic objects: poppy flowers, traditional symbols of death and remembrance, and an olive branch, symbolizing victory and peace.

Thank you.

Replica of the Winged Figure from the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

American Art

This figure of “Victory” was cast from the fourth version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s memorial to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, commander of the first African American regiment raised in the North. The Massachusetts Fifty-fourth regiment was best known for its assault at Fort Wagner, South Carolina, in 1863.

In 1897 the black educator Booker T. Washington proclaimed that “all that this monument stands for will not be realized until . . . no man in all our land will be tempted to degrade himself by withholding from his black brother any opportunity which he himself would possess.”

ARTIST Augustus Saint-Gaudens, American, born Ireland, 1848–1907

MEDIUM Gilded bronze

Place Made: United States

DATES 1884–1897

DIMENSIONS 34 3/4 x 118 7/8 x 11 1/8 in. (88.3 x 301.9 x 28.3 cm) [irregular] (show scale)

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 23.288.1

CREDIT LINE Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION High relief sculpture with female allegorical figure floating in horizontal position, face in 3/4 profile with eyes closed, proper left arm outstretched, she wears heavy robes and hood, holds branch of laurel leaves and posies in right arm. Condition: Good.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, born Ireland, 1848–1907). Replica of the Winged Figure from the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, 1884–1897. Gilded bronze, 34 3/4 x 118 7/8 x 11 1/8 in. (88.3 x 301.9 x 28.3 cm) [irregular]. Brooklyn Museum, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 23.288.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 23.288.1_cropped_reference.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 23.288.1_cropped_reference.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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