Bust of Henry F. Schricker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bust of Henry F. Schricker |
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| Artist | David K. Rubins |
| Year | 1964 |
| Type | Bronze and limestone |
| Dimensions | 120 cm × 74 cm × 56 cm (49 in × 29 in × 22 in) |
| Location | Indianapolis State House, Indianapolis |
| 39°46′7″N 86°9′46″W / 39.76861°N 86.16278°W | |
| Owner | The State of Indiana |
The Bust of Henry F. Schricker is a public artwork created by American artist David K. Rubins. You can find it inside the Indiana State House in Indianapolis, Indiana. This sculpture is a bronze bust, which is a statue showing only the head and shoulders, of former Indiana governor Henry F. Schricker.
The entire artwork, including its base, stands about 49 inches (124 cm) tall. It is 29 inches (74 cm) wide and 22 inches (56 cm) long. The bust itself is 33.5 inches (85 cm) high, sitting on a base that is 15.5 inches (39 cm) tall. This impressive piece was put in place in the southeast corner of the Indiana State House in 1964. It faces towards the east.
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What Does the Bust Look Like?
The bust is made of bronze and has a special wax finish. It was created using a method called lost-wax casting. This is a way to make metal sculptures by pouring melted metal into a mold that was made from a wax model.
The sculpture shows Governor Schricker looking straight ahead. He is wearing a shirt, tie, vest, and jacket. Behind him, there's a large rock formation. If you look closely at the bottom left side of the bust, you'll see the artist's mark, which says "Rubins 64." The bust is hollow inside and seems to be made from one single piece of bronze.
The Base of the Sculpture
The bronze bust sits on a base made of limestone. This base is shaped like a cube. On the front of the base, there's a bronze plaque. This plaque tells us that Henry F. Schricker was the thirty-fourth and thirty-eighth governor of Indiana. It also shows the years he served as governor.
The whole artwork is held firmly in place by two metal rods. These rods go up into the base and down into the floor of the alcove where the bust is displayed. The entire sculpture weighs about 1,200 pounds (544 kg)!
Why Was This Sculpture Made?
The Bust of Henry F. Schricker was officially revealed on November 11, 1964. More than 350 people came to the special ceremony. Former Governor Schricker was there with his wife. Their six grandchildren had the honor of unveiling the bust. A message from the president at the time, Lyndon B. Johnson, was also read.
This new bust replaced a sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, which was then moved to another spot in the State House. Governor Schricker was given this honor because many people in Indiana thought he was an "ideal governor." The sculpture cost $3,500, and the money came from a special fund for the governor.
The Artist's Vision
The sculptor, David K. Rubins, placed Governor Schricker's bust on a rock. He did this to show the "deep strength of the man." The rock also helped fill the space in the alcove where the bust is located.
Meet the Artist: David K. Rubins
David K. Rubins was a talented American sculptor. He was born in Minneapolis in 1902. When he was young, he learned from another artist named J. E. Fraser. Later, he studied at Dartmouth College and the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design in New York.
Rubins then traveled to Paris, France, to continue his studies. There, he won the Paris Prize in Sculpture, which was a big achievement! From 1928 to 1931, he was a fellow at the American Academy in Rome.
In 1935, Rubins joined the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis as a teacher. He taught many subjects, including drawing, anatomy, ceramics, and sculpture. He even wrote a textbook called The Human Figure: An Anatomy for Artists in 1953.
Other Works by Rubins
David K. Rubins created many important artworks. Some of his famous pieces include the statue of Young Abraham Lincoln outside the Indiana State House. He also made several plaques at Riley Hospital. Of course, he also created the Bust of Henry F. Schricker.
Rubins stopped teaching in 1970. This was three years after the Herron School became part of Indiana University. In 1981, he was named Professor Emeritus, which is an honorary title for retired professors. David K. Rubins passed away in 1985 when he was 82 years old.
