Bust of Matthew E. Welsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matthew E. Welsh |
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| Artist | Daniel Edwards |
| Year | 1996 |
| Type | Bronze portrait bust on wooden base |
| Dimensions | 60 cm × 32.4 cm × 30 cm (23.5 in × 12.75 in × 12 in) |
| Location | Indiana State House, Indianapolis |
| 39°46′7.5″N 86°9′45.5″W / 39.768750°N 86.162639°W | |
| Owner | State of Indiana |
The sculpture called Matthew E. Welsh is a special piece of art by an American artist named Daniel Edwards. You can find it on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This bronze sculpture shows Matthew E. Welsh, who was the 41st governor of Indiana from 1961 to 1965.
The sculpture is about 23.5 inches tall. It sits on a wooden base. In 1996, a year after Welsh passed away, a law firm in Indianapolis asked Daniel Edwards to create this sculpture. It was officially shown to the public at the Indiana Statehouse on December 20, 1996.
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What Does the Sculpture Look Like?
The Matthew E. Welsh bust is a bronze sculpture. It shows Welsh's head, neck, shoulders, and collarbone. It looks just like him! Welsh's head is turned slightly to the right, and he is looking in that direction.
The sculpture is attached to a bronze base. This base has Welsh's name written on it in big letters. The whole sculpture then sits on a wooden base. The bronze part is about 23.5 inches tall. It is 12.75 inches wide and 12 inches long. The wooden base is 4 inches tall, 14.75 inches wide, and 10.5 inches long.
Where is it Located?
You can find the bust in a special limestone area. This area is on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse. It is close to where the Senate meets. Underneath the sculpture, there is a black plaque. This plaque tells you about Matthew E. Welsh's life.
The plaque says: "Matthew E. Welsh/ 1912-1995/ Indiana State Representative/ 1940-1943/ Lieutenant U.S. Navy/ 1943-1946/ United States Attorney/ 1950-1952/ Indiana State Senator/ 1954-1960/ 41st Governor of Indiana/ 1961-1965". At the bottom, it also says: "The Law Firm of Bingham, Summers, Welsh & Spilman celebrates the life of one of Indiana's most distinguished public servants." The sculpture does not have the artist's signature or a special mark from the place where it was made. It is in very good shape, according to a report from the Indiana State Museum.
How Was it Made?
Artist Daniel Edwards first made a model of the sculpture using clay. Then, a special workshop called a foundry used this clay model. They made a mold from it. Finally, they used this mold to cast the sculpture in bronze.
Who Was Matthew E. Welsh?
Matthew E. Welsh (1912–1995) was the 41st governor of Indiana. Before he became governor, he served in many important roles. He was in the Indiana House of Representatives. He also served in the United States Navy. Later, he was a U.S. Attorney and an Indiana State Senator.
Welsh was elected governor of Indiana in 1960. He served until 1965. During his time as governor, he started the state's first sales tax. He was also a strong supporter of civil rights. He signed a civil rights bill in 1963. Welsh tried to become governor again in 1972 but did not win. After that, he went back to working at his law firm. Matthew Welsh lived by a simple rule: "It never costs you to be a gentleman."
How the Sculpture Came to Be
The law firm where Matthew E. Welsh worked, Bingham, Summers, Welsh & Spilman, asked for this sculpture to be made. They ordered it in 1996, a year after Welsh passed away at age 82. A partner at the firm, D. William Moreau, said that Welsh was very important to their firm's growth. They wanted to create a lasting memory of him.
In early 1996, they asked sculptor Daniel Edwards to create the bust. Edwards was born in La Porte, Indiana in 1965. He is also known for creating the Workers' Memorial Sculpture at the Indiana Government Center.
Getting Permission and Dedication
The law firm wanted the sculpture to be placed in the Indiana Statehouse. To do this, they needed permission from many government leaders. This included the Senate President, the House Speaker, and the Governor.
The bust was officially dedicated on December 20, 1996. The ceremony took place on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse. Important people spoke at the event. These included the governor at the time, Evan Bayh. Welsh's Lieutenant Governor, Richard Ristine, and Welsh's granddaughter, Kathryn Clendenin, also spoke. The mayor of Vincennes, Indiana, Howard Hatcher, was also there. Welsh had lived in Vincennes for much of his life. Mayor Hatcher said it was "very warming to see this bronze bust." The sculpture is still on display on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse today.
