Archive for January, 2023
MacNeil’s Albany Monument ~ Winter Update
Posted by: | CommentsThe Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Albany, NY
“The bronze seems to be in fine condition with a consistent patina, however the marble relief in front (top left) is beginning to show signs of deterioration, evident in the raised crack (upper left). If left unattended , it will eventually shear off, marring the beauty of the composition.” Joel Rosenkranz, December 2022
Joel RosenKranz, the owner and manager of Conner – Rosenkranz, LLC., (a private gallery located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan) is a friend of this website.
He represented the Estate of Jo Davidson in our purchase of the bust of Hermon Atkins MacNeil in 2021.
In December after visiting Albany NY, he sent the following note to us (Jim Haas and Dan Leininger, the website).
Dear James & Dan:
I was in Albany on Friday and decided to see MacNeil’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument in person. It is quite impressive and beautifully sighted in a city park. The bronze seems to be in fine condition with a consistent patina, however the marble relief in front (top left) is beginning to show signs of deterioration, evident in the raised crack (upper left). If left unattended , it will eventually shear off, marring the beauty of the composition. The marble reliefs on the rear and sides of the monument appear to be in good shape as is the lettering on the rear, which is quite beautiful.
A crowning achievement for Hermon.
Best to you both.
Joel
Thanks to Joel for the Winter Update of the Albany Veterans Monument.
It has been a central feature of Washington Park Historic District,
the premier park of the capitol city of Albany for over one hundred and ten years.
Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument in Washington Park, Albany NY
Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument in Washington Park, Albany NY
The Washington Park Historic District (Albany, New York)
History:
“Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument is a marble monument sitting on a granite base with a bronze statue representing the Nation, holding the palms of victory. The monument is built of Tennessee marble above the seat and the remainder is of Stony Creek granite. It is 22 feet (6.7 m) high, 21 feet (6.4 m) long and 5.5 feet (1.7 m) deep, surrounded by a seat, the whole resting upon a platform 70 feet (21 m) long by 64 feet (20 m) deep. It sits at the Henry Johnson Boulevard entrance from State Street to the park. The monument represents “The Nation at Peace Won Through Victorious War”.[21] It was finished in 1911 by American Sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil and erected in 1912 by the Grand Army of the Republic as a monument to Civil War veterans.[21][25] The monument was restored in 1986 and renamed the Albany Veterans Memorial Monument with an unveiling by two 85-year-old women who, as 12-year-olds, had unveiled the monument when it was first erected in 1912.” [25]
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Park_Historic_District_(Albany,_New_York)
Albany NY – Soldiers and Sailors Monument
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Albany Veterans Memorial Monument (detail)
In Albany New York just north of the Capitol Building stands a Civil War Monument by Hermon A. MacNeil completed in 1912.
Tulips in bloom in Albany Veterans Memorial welcome visitors into Washington Park
Re-Dedicated and renamed the “Albany Soldiers and Sailors Memorial” in 1912, it stands on public property dating back to the city’s original British charter of 1686.
The monument represents “The Nation at Peace Won Through Victorious War”.[21] It was finished in 1911 by American Sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil and erected in 1912 by the Grand Army of the Republic as a monument to Civil War veterans.[21][25] Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Park_Historic_District_(Albany,_New_York)
In 1986, the bicentennial of Albany’s City Charter, the structure was restored and renamed the
“Albany Veterans Memorial Monument”
The monumental sculpture commands a beautiful entry to Albany’s premier park which, for years, has been the site of many festivals and gatherings.
In 1910 MacNeil purchased Civil War pictures from George E. Stonebridge that he projected on screens for public lectures. MacNeil then used images are carved in marble on the Albany Soldiers and Sailors Monument below.
Joel Rosenkrantz sent this photo in December 2022 as a winter update of his visit to Albany, NY. Next post will share his comments.
Actual photos of civil war soldiers were Hermon’s models for this monument.
SEE ARTICLE TO RIGHT =======>>>>>>>
READ THIS NEWS STORY OF THE “SOLDIER PHOTOS” that Hermon MacNeil purchased to use as models for the
“Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
CREDITS:
- “Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument in Washington Park, Albany NY.” Northeast facade.CC BY-SA 4.0 File:Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument in Washington Park NE face, Albany NY.jpg Created: 2 August 2021
Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument in Washington Park, Albany NY
