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Russell Alger Memorial Fountain

Coordinates: 42°20′13″N 83°03′00″W / 42.33689°N 83.04993°W / 42.33689; -83.04993
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Russell Alger Memorial Fountain
The fountain in 2022
Map
42°20′13″N 83°03′00″W / 42.33689°N 83.04993°W / 42.33689; -83.04993
LocationGrand Circus Park Historic District, Detroit, Michigan, United States
DesignerDaniel Chester French (sculptor)
Henry Bacon (architect)
TypeFountain
Statue
MaterialBronze
Dedicated dateJuly 27, 1921
Dedicated toRussell A. Alger

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]

See also

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References

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  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
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Media related to Russell Alger Memorial Fountain at Wikimedia Commons