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TheJefferson Monument is a statue byMoses Jacob Ezekiel located outside theLouisville Metro Hall inLouisville, Kentucky, US.[1]
The monument toFounding FatherThomas Jefferson was created in 1899 by Moses Ezekiel. It was commissioned as one of two sculptures for the exterior of theJefferson County Courthouse; the other statue honorsLouis XIV.[2]
The Jefferson statue was presented to the city of Louisville by theBernheim Brothers, two wealthy, public-spirited businessmen of the city, in November 1901. It was unveiled at ceremonies that included addresses by formerGovernor of KentuckyWilliam O'Connell Bradley and MayorCharles P. Weaver. It stands on Jefferson street in front of the Jefferson County Court House, the architecture of the later forming an effective background.[3]
The status of Jefferson is in bronze, 9 feet (2.7 m) high, and represents him at the age of 33 presenting theDeclaration of Independence to theSecond Continental Congress. The subject is well conceived and executed with power and artistic taste. An original feature is the bronze pedestal, which represents the famousLiberty Bell, the height being 9 feet (2.7 m) with a diameter of nearly 10 feet (3.0 m). On the outside of this bell at four equidistant points are modeled figures, representing Liberty, Equality, Justice and the Brotherhood of Man. The statue symbolizing Liberty shows theGoddess of Liberty starting forward bursting the chains from her arms. She occupies the front of the pedestal and the flowing drapery and vigorous motion of the figure are incisively portrayed. Justice, with bandaged eyes, is shown with drawn sword in one and hand and scales in the other. Equality is typified in female form, represented in the act of casting from her the law of primo-geniture, and treading underfoot the1765 Stamp Act.[3]
The lower part of the monument is of dark Quincy granite from theQuincy Granite Quarries inQuincy, Massachusetts, all parts highly polished, the die block being 10 square feet (0.93 m2) and 5 feet (1.5 m) high resting on steps or bases laid in sections, the lowest of which is 19 feet (5.8 m) square. The whole is 25 feet (7.6 m) high. Clarke &Loomis of Louisville were the constructing architects, and the bronze was cast inBerlin, Germany. The sculptor is Sir Moses Ezekiel, who designed the granite pedestal and executed the models for statuary at his studio inRome.[3]
A smaller replica of the monument stands at theUniversity of Virginia, which Jefferson founded in 1819.[4]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain: R.J. Haight's "The Monumental News" (1902)38°15′15″N85°45′34″W / 38.25425°N 85.75949°W /38.25425; -85.75949
