Jean Pond Miner Coburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Pond Miner Coburn
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| Born | 1866 |
| Died | 1967 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Lorado Taft, Art Institute of Chicago |
| Known for | sculptor |
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Notable work
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Forward, bronze statue in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol |
Jean Pond Miner Coburn (1866–1967) was a talented American sculptor. She was born in Menasha, Wisconsin. Jean studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago. There, she worked with a famous sculptor named Lorado Taft. She even became his assistant and later taught art at the Institute herself.
The Forward Statue
In 1893, a big event called the World's Columbian Exposition happened. It was a huge world's fair in Chicago. Jean Pond Miner and another artist, Helen Farnsworth Mears, were chosen to be artists-in-residence at the Wisconsin Building. This meant they created art there.
Creating a Symbol for Wisconsin
During this time, Jean was asked to create a special artwork. This artwork needed to represent the state of Wisconsin. She created a statue called Forward. "Forward" is actually the official motto of Wisconsin.
After the fair, groups that supported women's right to vote bought the statue. They then gave it to the state of Wisconsin. It was a gift from the women's suffrage movement.
The Statue's Journey
For about 100 years, the original Forward statue stood outside the Wisconsin State Capitol building. It was made of copper, which slowly wore down over time.
In 1996, several women's groups and women from Wisconsin worked together. They raised money to make a new version of the statue. This new one was made of bronze, which is much stronger. The bronze statue was placed on the Capitol grounds. The original copper statue was moved inside. You can now see it in the lobby of the Wisconsin Historical Society building.
A Moment of Change
On June 23, 2020, the bronze Forward statue was pulled down. This happened during public demonstrations about social issues. The statue's fall was seen as a meaningful action by those involved in the protests.
