Bust of Sherman Minton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sherman Minton |
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| Artist | Robert Merrell Gage |
| Year | 1956 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Dimensions | 61 cm × 76.8 cm × 32.4 cm (24 in × 30.25 in × 12.75 in) |
| Location | Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| 39°46′7.54″N 86°9′45.54″W / 39.7687611°N 86.1626500°W | |
| Owner | State of Indiana |
The Sherman Minton bust is a special piece of public art. It was created by American artist Robert Merrell Gage. You can find it on the main floor of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
This sculpture, made of bronze in 1956, was created to honor Sherman Minton. He was an important politician from Indiana. Minton served as a U.S. Senator and later became an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States.
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About the Sherman Minton Bust
What Does It Look Like?
The bust is made from cast bronze. It shows Sherman Minton from his lower shoulders up. He is wearing a special robe like judges wear. Minton is shown as a middle-aged man with a mustache. His hair is a bit receded.
His head is turned slightly to his left side. The sculpture is a little larger than a real person. It is about 30.25 inches wide at the shoulders. It is 24 inches tall. The bust is mounted on a stone block. This block sits in a curved space in the wall.
On the front of the stone block, there is a bronze plaque. It tells you more about Sherman Minton. The plaque says:
| SHERMAN MINTON ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SUPREME COURT oF THE UNITED STATES 1949–1956 THE FIRST JUSTICE APPOINTED TO THE SUPREME COURT oF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE STATE oF INDIANA |
Who Was Sherman Minton?
Sherman Minton (born October 20, 1890 – died April 9, 1965) was a well-known Democratic politician. He was a U.S. Senator for Indiana. Later, he became an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States.
He was the first person from Indiana to become a U.S. Supreme Court justice. As a senator, he supported the New Deal laws. As a justice, he believed judges should stick closely to the law. He retired in 1956 because of his health.
How Was It Made?
The bust was ordered soon after Minton retired. The governor of Indiana at the time, George N. Craig, paid for it. The money came from a special fund for unexpected costs.
The bust was officially presented on December 21, 1956. There was a ceremony to unveil it. Governor Craig spoke at the event. William T. Fitzgerald, who was the president of the Indiana State Bar Association (a group for lawyers), also spoke. Sherman Minton himself was there and spoke too.
Where Can You Find It?
The bust was made in New York. Then it was brought to Indianapolis. At first, it was placed in a special spot outside the governor’s office. This spot was in the statehouse round hall. A bust of George Washington was moved to an upper floor to make room.
The governor's secretary said this was because the Minton bust was bronze. The Washington bust was plaster. The bronze bust looked better next to another bronze piece nearby. In 1976, records show the bust was in the southwest corner of the central rotunda. It is still in this same spot today.
About the Artist
The sculptor, Robert Merrell Gage (born December 26, 1892 – died October 30, 1981), was from Topeka, Kansas. He was famous for creating many public art pieces. His first big project was a statue of Abraham Lincoln. This statue is now at the Kansas State Capitol.
Gage later became a professor of sculpture. He taught at the University of Southern California. While he was teaching there, he was asked to create the Sherman Minton bust.
