Apotheosis of St. Louis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Apotheosis of St. Louis
Artist	Design by Charles Henry Niehaus, execution by W. R. Hodges
Year	1904–1906
Type	Bronze
Location	Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri

The Apotheosis of St. Louis is a famous statue in St. Louis, Missouri. It shows King Louis IX of France, who the city is named after. You can find this impressive bronze statue in front of the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. For many years, it was a main symbol of the city. It held this important role from when it was put up in 1906 until the Gateway Arch was built in the 1960s.

The Story Behind the St. Louis Statue

How the Statue Came to Be

The bronze statue you see today was a gift to Forest Park. It was given by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company after the big 1904 World's Fair. This statue is a copy of an earlier plaster version. The plaster statue stood at the fair's main entrance.

The original sculptor, Charles Henry Niehaus, wanted to make the bronze version. He asked for $90,000 for his work. However, the company chose a local artist, W. R. Hodges, who offered a lower price of $37,500. Niehaus later sued the company. He felt his original design rights were not respected. He won $3,000 and his name was added to the statue's base. The statue was officially shown to the public on October 4, 1906.

Messages on the Pedestal

The statue stands on a large base, called a pedestal. On the west side of this pedestal, there is a special message. It says the statue was given to St. Louis by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. This was to remember the 1904 World's Fair held in that very spot. The north and south sides of the pedestal simply say "Saint Louis."

A City's Symbol and Its Uses

For many years, this statue was a key symbol for St. Louis. It was used in many ways until the Gateway Arch was finished in the 1960s. For example, the statue's outline was part of the symbol for the 138th Infantry Regiment. This is a group in the U.S. Army and Missouri National Guard. It was also used in the logo for the St. Louis Browns baseball team in the 1930s and 40s. More recently, in 2008, it appeared on the logo for St. Louis Soccer United.

Discussions About the Statue

In 2020, there were discussions about the statue's presence. Some groups asked for it to be removed. They pointed to certain historical actions of King Louis IX. Other groups, including local Catholics, gathered to support keeping the statue. They prayed and spoke about King Louis IX's good deeds, like his kindness to the poor. Historians also weighed in, explaining that the statue represents modern progress for the city. After much discussion, the statue remains in its place.

Gallery

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  Positioned before the Art Museum