Walt Whitman (Davidson) facts for kids
The Walt Whitman statue is a famous artwork created by the sculptor Jo Davidson. It honors the well-known American poet, Walt Whitman. There are actually a few copies, or "castings," of this special statue located in different places.
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Creating the Walt Whitman Statue
How the Idea Began
Jo Davidson started working on a statue of Walt Whitman in 1925. He first entered a competition to design a statue of the poet. Even though his first design was not fully built, Davidson kept working on his ideas. He wanted to create the perfect tribute to Whitman.
Bringing the Statue to Life
As Davidson worked, he first made a life-sized clay figure. To make sure the statue looked just right, he used a special frame called an armature. This armature allowed him to move the arms and legs of the clay figure independently. This helped him capture the exact movement and feeling he wanted. Davidson said he wanted the statue to feel alive, not "static," and he finally found the "rhythm" he was looking for.
Where to Find the Statues
First Public Display
The first version of the Walt Whitman statue was shown to the public in 1939. It was a special exhibit at the New York Worlds Fair. Later that same year, a man named Averell Harriman suggested a permanent home for the statue. He thought it would be perfect for Bear Mountain State Park. Davidson visited the park and agreed it was a great spot.
At the statue's official unveiling, Robert Moses, a New York Park Commissioner, made a funny comment. He joked, "I am not sure if this is a statue of Walt Whitman by Jo Davidson or a statue of Jo Davidson by Walt Whitman."
A Statue for Philadelphia
In 1957, another copy of the statue was made. The Fairmount Park Art Association bought this second casting. They placed it in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can find it at the corner of Broad Street and Packer Avenue. This location is also close to the Walt Whitman Bridge, which is named after the poet.
See also
In Spanish: Walt Whitman (estatua) para niños
