Statue of William King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William King |
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| Artist | Franklin Simmons |
| Year | 1878 |
| Medium | Marble sculpture |
| Subject | William King |
| Location | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
The William King statue is a cool marble sculpture made in 1878. It shows William King, who was the very first governor of Maine. This statue is located in the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C.. It's part of a special collection called the National Statuary Hall Collection. Maine donated this statue, and it's one of two statues they gave to this collection.
About the William King Statue
The statue of William King was officially added to the collection on January 22, 1878. Two important senators from Maine, Hannibal Hamlin and James G. Blaine, helped accept the statue. Senator Hamlin later also had his own statue added to the collection.
When the statue was accepted, Senator Blaine spoke about William King. He said that King was a strong leader. King could calm angry people and encourage those who were slow to act. He helped people who doubted themselves. Senator Blaine believed King brought his supporters together. He made them a strong, working team. Blaine even said that King, more than anyone else, helped create the State of Maine.
Maine's First Governor
William King was a very important person in Maine's history. He played a key role in making Maine its own state. Before 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts. King worked hard to separate Maine and make it an independent state.
After Maine became a state, William King was elected as its first governor. He helped set up the new state government. His leadership was crucial during Maine's early years. The statue honors his efforts and his importance to the state.
The Artist and Style
The artist who created the William King statue was Franklin Simmons. He was a talented sculptor. This statue is one of the few in the collection that uses a neo-classical style. This means it looks like ancient Greek or Roman art. You can see this in King's cloak, which looks a bit like a toga.
Simmons moved to Rome, Italy, to work on his sculptures. He found it easier to get good marble there. He also found skilled assistants at a lower cost. He ended up living in Rome permanently. So, the William King statue was made in Italy.
A famous sculptor and critic named Lorado Taft looked at the King statue. He thought it was "well poised," meaning it looked balanced. However, he also felt it didn't have much "vivacity or charm." He noted that the way King's clothes were sculpted was "severe."
