Observed from here, the Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue embodies a story of artistic vision delayed. Commissioned in 1929, its journey to completion was fraught with budgetary constraints. The statue’s models were stored until 1950 and it was erected in 1951.
The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue stands as a testament to American and Italian collaboration. The statue embodies both valor and loss. It also stands near the Arlington Memorial Bridge entrance.
Leo Friedlander created the Arts of War. This included the Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue. The statue is Art Deco in style.
The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue is part of a larger grouping. Valor is the other statue. Together they frame the Arlington Memorial Bridge entrance.
Facing the bridge from D.C., Sacrifice is on the right. Valor is on the left. The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue presents a poignant scene. A nude male figure holds a child in his arms. His head is bowed in what seems to be grief. To his right a semi-nude woman looks back at him. Her arm reaches toward his elbow.
Originally, white granite was planned for the statue. Friedlander had to adjust his design when bronze was selected. This change allowed him to remove the web of supports beneath the horse.
The Italian government played a pivotal role in the statue’s creation. They used Marshall Plan funds to cast the statues. This act was a gift to the U.S. for aid after World War II.
The casting occurred in Italy in 1950. The Arturo Bruni Foundry in Rome and the Fonderia Lagana in Naples handled the work. Fire-gilding finished the statues. This involved applying gold leaf and mercury to the bronze.
The gilding process used over 100 pounds of 24-karat gold. That much gold would be worth millions of dollars today. This shows Italy’s dedication to this artistic gift.
The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue faced challenges during casting. Concerns arose over joint quality and gilding brightness. Fraser and Friedlander intervened. They ensured the statue met their standards.
The statue’s journey from Italy to the U.S. was quite a spectacle. Huge crowds celebrated its arrival as a Renaissance revival. The SS Rice Victory transported the statues. A Navy barge then carried them up the Potomac River.
The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue was dedicated on September 26, 1951. Dignitaries from both the U.S. and Italy attended the event. President Truman accepted the statues on behalf of the American people. He also pledged to ease restrictions on Italy.
Each statue group weighed about 80000 pounds. They stood 19 feet high. The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue and its counterparts are welded together. This ensures structural integrity.
Each pedestal has 36 gilded bronze stars at the top. They represent the number of states during the Civil War. The pedestals themselves are hollow.
Despite initial criticism, the statues have become iconic. They connect to the East and West Potomac Parks Historic District. The Arts of War: Sacrifice Statue continues to inspire. It also reminds us of the intertwined themes of war and sacrifice.