In its left hand, the large seated figure holds a gilt bronze sphere emanating rays to symbolize God.[2] The people in the figure's right hand are a family group symbolizing all human relationships.[2]
Fredericks did not originally name the sculpture and the name came from the citizens of Detroit[3] based on an inscription from 2 Corinthians (3:17) on the marble wall behind it, underneath the seals of Wayne County and the City of Detroit:[2]
"NOW THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT
AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE
LORD IS, THERE IS LIBERTY." II CORINTHIANS 3:17
The 36 x 45 foot semicircular wall includes the seals of the City of Detroit and Wayne County.[5][6] The Wayne County seal was created by Fredericks specifically for The Spirit of Detroit, as it was a part of the work and the county had no seal at the time.[7][8] The seal is still used today and is also featured on the county's flag. A plaque in front of the sculpture bears the following inscription: "The artist expresses the concept that God, through the spirit of man, is manifested in the family, the noblest human relationship."[9]
A 1959 documentary about the statue from its inception in 1955 to its inauguration in 1958
The sculpture was commissioned on August 2, 1955 for a cost of $58,000 (equivalent to $415,000 in 2023).[10] Fredericks considered the statue to be part of his civic responsibility and waived the commissioning cost.[3] As part of the design of the divine elements of the sculpture, Fredericks met with several religious groups.[9] Fredericks shipped a scale model from the United States to Oslo, Norway for casting.[10] After casting, the sculpture underwent acidic treatments for several weeks to oxidize the bronze and to create the warm, aged green color.[11][12] the thickness of the bronze is 3/8 inches up to 1.5 inches.[13] Steel framework was constructed to protect the sculpture during transport.[10] Additional protection for the sculpture was provided using wooden beams, wooden platforms, and burlap covering, for a total shipping weight of 12 tons.[10] For shipping, the sculpture was placed facedown onto a wooden platform.[10] The sculpture was transported by the Fjell Line, who chartered the German freighter Thomas Schulte.[10] After the 4,800 mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean and through the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the freighter arrived at the Port of Detroit on September 20, 1958.[10][11] The Thomas Schulte was the only freighter with sufficient below deck storage space to accommodate the sculpture while still being able to navigate the Saint Lawrence Seaway.[10]
As part of the shipment, four miniature scale models of the sculpture were included to aid with customs clearance.[10] The sculpture was delivered to the Detroit City-County Building (now the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center) and installed onto the marble base for the September 23, 1958 dedication ceremony.[10][11]
The sculpture has regular maintenance, as well as restorations. Once a year, the sculpture is cleaned with non-ionic, biogradable detergents and customized petroleum-based waxes are used for protection.[13] The annual maintenance also includes applying heat to the bronze surface and cupric nitrate in order to preserve the green color and patina.[13] In 1984, the sculpture was covered in plastic while the marble panels behind the statue were replaced.[5] The statue underwent a restoration in 2006[update], funded by foundations and other private donations.[6]
For the sculpture's 50th anniversary, funds from operational savings and energy conservation totalling $170,000 were used for restoration improvements.[6] In 2018, the sculpture had routine maintenance completed which involved touching up the green patina, as well as the gold figures and sphere.[18] On September 21, 2018, the City of Detroit had a ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the sculpture.[19]
In 2017, Spirit Plaza was initially constructed and subsequent upgrades completed in 2019 and paid for by $800,000 in bond funds have yielded a 20,000 square-foot plaza with a playground, stationary musical instruments, tables, chairs, vehicle charging stations, and drinking fountains.[20]
In 2013 art dealer and art historian Eric Ian Hornak Spoutz was quoted in The Detroit News stating that the value of the statue is in excess of $1 million.[21] In 2017, the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority said that based on the most recent appraisal of the sculpture, it would cost $6 million to repair significant damage.[22]
Uses as a community symbol
The Spirit of Detroit is featured on official city insignia, such as Detroit Police Department's insignia from the 1970s to the 1990s.
The statue wearing a Detroit Lions jersey during the 2023 teams' postseason run
As one of Detroit's most easily identifiable landmarks, a sketch or depiction of the statue appears as the central element of most of the logos of Detroit's city departments and services.[6] During the late 20th century, a facsimile of the statue was featured on the Detroit Police Department's insignia and on the sides of its police cars.[23] An image of the statue appears on the "Spirit of Detroit Award" certificate, which is issued by the Detroit City Council to a person, event, or organization deemed to have performed an outstanding achievement or service to the citizens of Detroit.[24][25] The sculpture is the main image on Detroit Community Scrip.[26]
The Spirit of Detroit represents local sports teams, such as when it is dressed in sports jerseys to celebrate local professional teams competing in the playoffs.[9] As the number of sports and non-sports requests for the sculpture to wear jerseys increased, there began to be concerns about damage to the sculpture and starting in 2017, the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority began new rules for having a jersey displayed on the statue, including winning a championship and paying $25,000.[22] The payment was intended to cover the restoration costs after a jersey is removed, including cleaning, reapplying the patina, and reapplying the wax.[22] Another example of local sports team representation is the use of an image of the sculpture as part of the crest of the Detroit City Football Club.[27]
The sculpture has also been involved with arts events, such as being dressed in a tuxedo in 1999 during a visit by the Three Tenors.[28][29] The ceremonial naming of the section of the John C. Lodge Freeway running from Livernois to I-94 in honor of Aretha Franklin was held in front of the sculpture in 2019.[30][31] Spirit Plaza was the site of a floral tribute, which included 3,000 roses, that commemorated Big Sean'sDetroit 2 album release on September 4, 2020.[32]
In 2020, The Spirit of Detroit wore a blue-green shirt and a white ribbon to commemorate medical and "essential" workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.[35] Two people installed the 420 square foot polyester poplin shirt and three foot ribbon.[35][36]
Gallery
Spirit of Detroit, During the day
Detail
Spirit of Detroit, illuminated at night
The Spirit of Detroit prior to its 2006 restoration, showing visible signs of verdigris.
^ abZacharias, Pat (September 5, 1999). "The Monuments of Detroit". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
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