Kauffmann Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kauffmann Memorial |
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| English: Seven Ages of Memory | |
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| Artist | William Ordway Partridge |
| Year | 1897 |
| Type | Bronze |
| Dimensions | 180 cm × 410 cm × 370 cm (70 in × 163 in × 144 in) |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Owner | Rock Creek Cemetery |
The Kauffmann Memorial is a beautiful bronze sculpture. It is located in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C., United States. An American artist named William Ordway Partridge created it in 1897.
This special memorial honors Samuel Kauffmann. He used to own a newspaper called The Washington Star. He was also the president of the Corcoran Gallery. The memorial is a place to remember him and also marks his grave.
Contents
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Kauffmann Memorial has a curved wall made of granite. This wall is shaped like a half-circle. It also has a curved bench where you can sit.
The Woman of Memory
On the bench, there is a bronze statue of a woman. She looks like she is from ancient times. She is leaning forward with her head bowed down. The woman is making a wreath from flowers called asphodel. These flowers are often linked to remembering people who have passed away.
She wears a long robe tied at her waist. She also has sandals on her feet. Her hair is pulled back and frames her face. This woman represents "Memory". Mnemosyne is the Greek goddess of memory.
Bronze Panels and Shakespeare
The curved wall behind the woman has seven bronze panels. Each panel is about 15 inches tall and 26 inches wide. These panels show different scenes from a famous speech by William Shakespeare. The speech is called "Seven Ages of Men". It comes from his play As You Like It. It describes the different stages of a person's life.
The Urn
In front of the bench and the curved wall, there is a large urn. An urn is a decorative vase. This urn sits on a low block of granite. The front of the urn has the name "KAUFFMANN" carved into it.
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A close-up view of the front of the memorial.
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A detailed look at the right side of the memorial.
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An older picture of the memorial from a 1914 book by the artist.
Condition of the Sculpture
Experts checked the sculpture in 1994. They said it needed some care to keep it in good shape.
