Russell Alger Memorial Fountain

Russell Alger Memorial Fountain is a Detroit, Michigan fountain, one of the “most successful collaborations” created by the sculptor, Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon. The bronze statue was cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company.[1] It is located in Grand Circus Park and was dedicated on July 27, 1921.

The Beaux-Arts styled bronze monument consists of a “spirited”[2] female personification of “Michigan” with one hand raised in greeting while the other holds a sword and shield. The crest of the state of Michigan is on the shield in shallow relief. There is a bas relief portrait of Alger on the granite base. Lion heads on the base serve as founts to pour water into the surrounding bowl.

Russell Alger (1836-1907) was a Civil War veteran (he enlisted as a private and ended the war as a general), politician (Governor of Michigan, U.S. Senator from Michigan, and U.S. Secretary of War), and a very successful businessman. Following Alger’s death a “memorial society” of Civil War veterans convened and commissioned the work.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Richman, Michael, “Daniel Chester French: An American Sculptor”, The Preservation Press, Washington D.C., 1976 pp. 164-170
  2. ↑ Richman, Michael, “Daniel Chester French: An American Sculptor”, The Preservation Press, Washington D.C., 1976 pp. 169
  3. ↑ Nawrocki, Dennis Alan, with Thomas J Holleman, “Art In Detroit Public Places”, Wayne State University Press, Detroit 1980 pp. 20-21

Coordinates: 42°20′13″N 83°03′00″W / 42.33689°N 83.04993°W / 42.33689; -83.04993

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