Benjamin Harrison (Niehaus)

Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Artist	Charles Henry Niehaus
Year	1908
Type	bronze
Dimensions	1.3 m × 0.47 m × 0.55 m (4.2 ft × 1.54 ft × 1.8 ft)
Location	Indianapolis
	39°46′17″N 86°9′25″W / 39.77139°N 86.15694°W

Benjamin Harrison is a public artwork by American artist Charles Henry Niehaus, located in University Park in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a full-length bronze sculptural portrait of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States, the only U.S. president from Indiana.

Description

The sculpture was designed by Henry Bacon, sculpted by Charles Henry Niehaus, and cast by Gorham Manufacturing Company. The statue was dedicated October 27, 1908.^[1] The statue was partially funded by a benefit held at the English Opera House in 1902.^[2]

The sculpture depicts Benjamin Harrison standing before a draped, Greek style chair. He wears an open overcoat with one hand upraised and one hand holding gloves. Niehaus found that a lifelike depiction of the president, seated, would not be flattering. "As Harrison was below the average stature in height he was unable to touch the floor when seated, which made this attitude practically impossible from an artistic standpoint."^[3] The sculpture is mounted on an oval limestone base with a decorative top border and a relief of an eagle on the front.^[4]

Location

University Park is part of the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza in downtown Indianapolis. During his presidential campaign, Harrison often gave speeches to traveling delegations in University Park.^[5]

References

^ "Benjamin Harrison (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution Collections Search Center. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
^ "I Heart Harrison". Indianapolis Monthly: 160. February 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
^ "The Harrison Statue and its Sculptor". Indianapolis Sunday Star Indianapolis Indiana. June 28, 1908. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
^ Save Outdoor Sculpture, Indiana Survey (1993). "Benjamin Harrison (sculpture)". SIRIS. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
^ Bodenhamer, David J.; Barrows, Robert G. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indiana University Press. p. 661. ISBN 0-253-31222-1. Retrieved November 16, 2010.