Marshall Fredericks and two assistants work on the full-scale plasteline model of the sphere for the "Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life" with plaster model in foreground
Bronze sculpture, American--20th century. Cleveland (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc. Figure sculpture, American--20th century. Fountains. Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998 Granite sculpture. Outdoor sculpture--United States. Public sculpture, American
The Fountain, also known as the "Cleveland War Memorial", is composed of a large granite basin set with bronze plaques containing the names of men and women who gave their lives for their country. Located within the basin are four granite carvings depicting the great civilizations of the earth: Nordic, Eastern, Southern and Western cultures. Centered within is the 10 Â½ foot sculptured bronze sphere representing the Universe as man has imagined it. Its design contains symbols of Eternal Life and Spirit derived from ancient myths. The bronze central figure towers 43 feet above the basin. This figure expresses the main theme of the Fountain: the spirit of mankind rising out of the flames of war and the destructive elements of life, reaching and ascending to a new understanding of life. The Fountain took nineteen years to complete and is located at the Civic Center Mall A in Cleveland, Ohio.
Marshall M. Fredericks Papers Series II, Box 5, Folder 21
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Archives.
Marshall Fredericks work on full-scale plasteline model of sphere for the "Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life"
Full-scale plasteline model of sphere for "Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life"
Marshall Fredericks works on full-scale plasteline model for sphere for "Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life"
Marshall Fredericks works on the plasteline model for the sphere for "Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life"
Marshall Fredericks and three unidentified men pose with plasteline presentation model for "Christ on the Cross"
Figure sculpture, American--20th century. Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998 Jesus Christ--Crucifixion--Art.
In 1946, the archdiocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan opened a new church in the Indian River area of northern Michigan. Although the local congregation consisted of only twelve families, the Diocese recognized the need to service the large number of Catholics who vacationed in the region during the summer months. Following the appointment of Fr. Charles Brophy as the first pastor, plans began to take shape for a shrine that would attract tourists from throughout the country. Inspired by the churchâ€™s woodland setting, Fr. Brophy envisioned an indoor church for residents and an open-air church for summer visitors. The archdiocese commissioned prominent architect Alden B. Dow to design the church. At the longhouse-style churchâ€™s dedication in 1950, Fr. Brophy announced plans for a Calvary Hill with a large wooden cross. In order to attract the attention of passing tourists, Fr. Brophy decided to erect the worldâ€™s largest crucifix. After a two year delay, the archdiocese granted permission for Fr. Brophy to proceed with his plans and construction of the crossâ€™ foundation at the rear of the property commenced. A printing plant owner from Indianapolis donated the enormous redwood cross in memory of his late wife. Erected in 1954, the cross stands fifty-five feet high atop a hill overlooking Burt Lake. Considered by Fredericks to be â€œhis greatest challenge,â€ the figure of Christ took him four years to complete. Funded by contributions from over 10,000 summer visitors to the shrine, the twenty-eight foot corpus symbolizes a Christ on the cross who is still living. Fredericks chose to depict the figure without a crown of thorns or a spear wound in its side. In this design, he â€œwanted to eliminate the suffering and agony for the observer and give the face an expression of great peace and strength.â€ One day, discouraged by the challenge and long days and nights at work on the face of Christ, Fredericks came upon a worker cleaning in the studio, on his knees in front of the clay form. Fredericks knew then he was on the road to achieving his goal. Since its dedication in 1959, millions of pilgrims from around the world have traveled to Indian River, Michigan to visit the shrine and see Fredericksâ€™ work.
Marshall M. Fredericks papers Series II, Box 3, Folder 7
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Little boy with axe poses atop redwood timbers for "Christ on the Cross"
Marshall M. Fredericks Papers Series II, Box 3, Folder 6
Unidentified man poses with redwood timber for "Christ on the Cross"
Unidentified man admires redwood timber for "Christ on the Cross"
Redwood timber for Christ on the Cross" at Pioneer Log Cabin Co.in Roscommon, Michigan