Founding of Detroit Pylon [Plaster]
Dublin Core
Title
Founding of Detroit Pylon [Plaster]
Subject
Figure sculpture, American--20th century
Description
Founding of Detroit Pylon, 1950
Plaster original
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.066
The Victory Eagle on the facade of the Veterans Memorial Building in Detroit is 30 feet high and projects 4-½ feet from the wall in high relief. The museum displays the quarter-scale version and two of the seven free-standing pylons originally placed in front of the building along the walkway leading to the entrance. The pylons were later moved next to the building parallel to the facade. Twenty feet high and carved with incised relief, they depict scenes from important events in the city's history. Here, the Founding of Detroit Pylon and Civil War Pylon frame either side of The Victory Eagle.
On the right, the Civil War Pylon shows Abraham Lincoln parting the North and South. Below are Generals Grant and Lee. The Founding of Detroit Pylon on the left depicts the French explorer, Antione de la Mothe de Cadillac, who founded Detroit in 1701. Below Cadillac is Father Gabriel Richard who made important contributions to the early spiritual, educational and cultural life of Detroit. Other pylons include Indian Wars, Battle of the Great Lakes, Spanish-American War, Battle of Lake Erie, War of 1812, WWII, and the Peace pylon. The Peace pylon is engraved, "In the hearts of all mankind is the Eternal Hope for Universal Peace."
Fredericks stated about the Victory Eagle:
"The problem was to take a natural object, one especially familiar to everyone, and simplify it in form to something almost architectural in quality, absolutely abstract in form and line, to tie in with the masses and character of the building, yet retain the character and meaning of the natural object. Also, it was necessary to indicate power and motion of the eagle, still make it an integral part of the marble wall, solid yet mobile; an architectural entity, and yet imbue it with the spirit of life."
As a result of this sculpture, Fredericks was awarded the American Institute of Arts Medal in 1952, a distinction awarded only five times between 1914 and 1998. In 1953, he was awarded an honorary life membership in the Michigan Society of Architects as the first sculptor to be honored by them.
Plaster original
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.066
The Victory Eagle on the facade of the Veterans Memorial Building in Detroit is 30 feet high and projects 4-½ feet from the wall in high relief. The museum displays the quarter-scale version and two of the seven free-standing pylons originally placed in front of the building along the walkway leading to the entrance. The pylons were later moved next to the building parallel to the facade. Twenty feet high and carved with incised relief, they depict scenes from important events in the city's history. Here, the Founding of Detroit Pylon and Civil War Pylon frame either side of The Victory Eagle.
On the right, the Civil War Pylon shows Abraham Lincoln parting the North and South. Below are Generals Grant and Lee. The Founding of Detroit Pylon on the left depicts the French explorer, Antione de la Mothe de Cadillac, who founded Detroit in 1701. Below Cadillac is Father Gabriel Richard who made important contributions to the early spiritual, educational and cultural life of Detroit. Other pylons include Indian Wars, Battle of the Great Lakes, Spanish-American War, Battle of Lake Erie, War of 1812, WWII, and the Peace pylon. The Peace pylon is engraved, "In the hearts of all mankind is the Eternal Hope for Universal Peace."
Fredericks stated about the Victory Eagle:
"The problem was to take a natural object, one especially familiar to everyone, and simplify it in form to something almost architectural in quality, absolutely abstract in form and line, to tie in with the masses and character of the building, yet retain the character and meaning of the natural object. Also, it was necessary to indicate power and motion of the eagle, still make it an integral part of the marble wall, solid yet mobile; an architectural entity, and yet imbue it with the spirit of life."
As a result of this sculpture, Fredericks was awarded the American Institute of Arts Medal in 1952, a distinction awarded only five times between 1914 and 1998. In 1953, he was awarded an honorary life membership in the Michigan Society of Architects as the first sculptor to be honored by them.
Creator
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Date
1947
Rights
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Type
Sculpture
Coverage
University Center (Mich.)
Sculpture Item Type Metadata
Physical Dimensions
206.5" x
Materials
Plaster full-scale
Catalog Number
1991.066
Object Location
Main Exhibit Gallery
Provenance
1989 March, 22 Gift to Museum and SVSU Board of Control
Notes
Early Detroit: 1701-1760
was founded July 24, 1701, by Antoine de Lamoree Cadillac, who landed in this vicinity on that date. With him were one hundred Frenchmen and a like number of Indians. Cadillac took possession of the land in the name of Louis VBW. Here was built Fort Ponticellos to prevent English traders from using the water route to the upper Great Lakes. The site was on the peninsula between the Detroit River and Savoyard Creek. Huron, Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians accepted the invitation of Cadillac to settle near the fort. Detroit he wished to develop as an agricultural settlement. Mesdames Cadillac and Tony arrived later in 1701. Other families followed them. After Cadillac's removal in 1710, Detroit's growth was retarded for many years. In 1712 the French and their Indian allies fought and destroyed a band of Fox Indians camped north of the fort. The French crown encouraged the development of the colony in the 1740s by offering seed, livestock and farm equipment to settlers. The fort was enlarged in the 1750s. Detroit then had a French population of about one thousand, and farms lined the river above and below the fort as well as across the river.
was founded July 24, 1701, by Antoine de Lamoree Cadillac, who landed in this vicinity on that date. With him were one hundred Frenchmen and a like number of Indians. Cadillac took possession of the land in the name of Louis VBW. Here was built Fort Ponticellos to prevent English traders from using the water route to the upper Great Lakes. The site was on the peninsula between the Detroit River and Savoyard Creek. Huron, Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians accepted the invitation of Cadillac to settle near the fort. Detroit he wished to develop as an agricultural settlement. Mesdames Cadillac and Tony arrived later in 1701. Other families followed them. After Cadillac's removal in 1710, Detroit's growth was retarded for many years. In 1712 the French and their Indian allies fought and destroyed a band of Fox Indians camped north of the fort. The French crown encouraged the development of the colony in the 1740s by offering seed, livestock and farm equipment to settlers. The fort was enlarged in the 1750s. Detroit then had a French population of about one thousand, and farms lined the river above and below the fort as well as across the river.
Files
Citation
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Founding of Detroit Pylon [Plaster],” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed November 24, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5116.