Stephen F. Austin (Ney) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stephen F. Austin |
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The statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection
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| Artist | Elisabet Ney |
| Year | 1905 |
| Medium | Marble sculpture |
| Subject | Stephen F. Austin |
| Dimensions | 194 cm (76.5 in) |
| Location | National Statuary Hall Collection, Washington, D.C., United States |
The Stephen F. Austin statue honors Stephen F. Austin, an important figure in Texas history. This artwork was created by Elisabet Ney, a famous sculptor. It was first designed in 1893 and put on display in 1905.
You can find this statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection inside the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C.. It is one of two statues representing Texas there. The other statue, Sam Houston, was also made by Elisabet Ney at the same time. Another version of the Stephen F. Austin statue is in the Texas State Capitol, where it was placed in 1903.
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History of the Statue
In 1892, the Texas government was getting ready for a big event. They needed to prepare for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This was a huge world's fair happening the next year.
The governor of Texas, Oran Milo Roberts, suggested something. He told the women's group raising money for the exhibit to talk to Elisabet Ney. She was a German-American sculptor living in Austin, Texas.
Creating the Sculptures
After their meeting, Ney was asked to sculpt statues of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin. These statues were meant for the Chicago exhibit. However, the group did not have money to pay her for the work.
Even so, Ney agreed to create the statues. She started with the Sam Houston statue first. Then, in early 1893, she began working on the statue of Stephen F. Austin. By the fall of that year, she had finished a plaster model of Austin.
Where the Statues Ended Up
The statue of Austin was completed too late for the Chicago fair. But Ney and the women's group had a bigger plan. They wanted to make marble versions of both the Houston and Austin statues. These would be placed permanently in the Texas State Capitol.
It took several years to get the money needed for this project. Finally, in 1901, the Texas Legislature approved the funds. The two statues were officially shown in the Texas Capitol on January 19, 1903.
An extra copy of each statue was also made. These were sent to the National Statuary Hall Collection. They were unveiled in the United States Capitol in 1905.
What the Statue Looks Like
The Stephen F. Austin statue is a full-sized sculpture made from marble. It shows Austin standing on a slightly uneven square base. His left foot is forward, and he is looking up and into the distance.
Details of the Design
Austin's hands are lowered, holding a partially unrolled scroll. This scroll is meant to look like a map. A Kentucky long rifle leans against his left hip and leg.
The statue shows Austin as a young explorer. He is dressed in fringed buckskins, which were clothes made from deerskin. The front of the statue's base has the words "STEPHEN F. AUSTIN" carved into it.
Ney used real objects from Austin's time to make the statue accurate. This included a long rifle and a scroll map. Some people complained about the statue's height. The Houston statue was 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall. The Austin statue was only 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. Ney explained that these were the actual heights of the men. She told critics to "take the issue up not with her but with God."
See also
In Spanish: Estatua de Stephen F. Austin para niños
