Statue of Lewis Cass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lewis Cass |
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The statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection
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| Artist | Daniel Chester French |
| Year | 1889 |
| Medium | Marble sculpture |
| Subject | Lewis Cass |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
The Lewis Cass statue is a cool marble sculpture made in 1889. It was created by a famous artist named Daniel Chester French. This statue shows Lewis Cass, who was an important soldier, diplomat, and politician. The state of Michigan gave this statue to the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C., United States. It was the very first statue Michigan donated to this special collection!
Meet the Lewis Cass Statue
This statue is a beautiful piece of art that tells a story. It was made by Daniel Chester French, a very well-known sculptor. He also created the famous statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial!
How the Statue Was Made
French got the job to create the statue and decided to work on it in Paris. He wanted the statue to show Lewis Cass's life story in stone. Cass was a bit heavy, so French showed him wearing a popular coat from that time.
The statue shows Cass standing firmly with his weight on both legs. Some artists in Paris thought this pose was old-fashioned. But French was happy because an American artist, George Peter Alexander Healy, liked it. Healy had been a friend of Cass and had even painted his portrait.
Once French finished his clay model, it was carved into marble in Paris. This carving took about a year to complete. After that, French added the final touches himself. The finished statue was then shipped all the way to the United States.
Where You Can See It
The statue was officially shown for the first time at the United States Capitol on February 18, 1889. At this event, a senator from Michigan, Thomas Witherell Palmer, spoke about Lewis Cass. He said that Cass had done many important things in his life.
Cass was a teacher, an explorer, and helped make treaties. He was also a governor, a pioneer, a lawyer, and a lawmaker. He worked as a marshal, a soldier, and a diplomat. He even served as Secretary of War and Secretary of State!
