Eternal Silence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
Dexter Graves Monument
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
![]() According to folklore looking into the eyes of the statue will give the viewer a vision of their own death.
|
|
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Location | Uptown, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States |
---|---|
Built | 1909 |
Built by | Jules Bercham |
Sculptor | Lorado Taft |
Architectural style | Art Nouveau |
Part of | Graceland Cemetery (ID00001628) |
Added to NRHP | January 18, 2001 |
The Eternal Silence monument is a famous statue found in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery. People also call it the Dexter Graves Monument or the Statue of Death. This impressive statue is made of bronze and stands against a background of dark, black granite. A talented American sculptor named Lorado Taft created it in 1909.
The Story Behind the Statue
The Eternal Silence statue was made to honor Dexter Graves. He was a leader of thirteen families who moved to Chicago from Ohio in 1831. Dexter Graves passed away in 1844.
The famous sculptor Lorado Taft created this monument in 1909. It was requested by Henry Graves, who was Dexter Graves' son. This statue is considered one of Taft's most important artworks.
Folklore and Legends
There is a popular folktale about the Eternal Silence statue. Some people believe that if you look into the eyes of the hooded figure, you will see a vision of your own death. This spooky story makes the monument even more mysterious and interesting to visitors.