Pioneer Monument (San Francisco)

Pioneer Monument

Pioneer Monument in 2008
Location Civic Center, San Francisco, California, United States
Designer Frank Happersberger
Completion date 1894

Pioneer Monument is a granite monument supporting bronze figures and bas reliefs created by Frank Happersberger and financed by James Lick, located in Civic Center, San Francisco, California, United States. It was dedicated on November 29, 1894.[1] The monument consists of a large female figure of Eureka,representing California on a column with four bronze reliefs representing "Crossing the Sierra," "Vaqueros Lassoing a Bull, "Trapper Trading Skins with Indians," and "California's Progress under American Rule", as well as portrait medallions of important personages in California's past, Sir Francis Drake, John Sutter, John Fremont, Father Junipero Serra, and the monument's benefactor, James Lick.

There are also four piers surrounding the base of the column,supporting sculptures. Two are female figures allegorically representing Commerce and Plenty, and two are groupings of three figures each. One of these is titled "Early Days" and contains a missionary, a Native American, and a vaquero. The other is titled "In '49'", commemorating the California Gold Rush, containing three gold miners. [2]

The sculpture has been called "controversial" for depicting American Indians as subservient.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Radford, Warren and Georgia, Outdoor Sculpture in San Francisco: A Heritage of Public Art, Helsham Press, Gualala, CA, 2002 p, 38
  2. ↑ http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=14506X0Q168T8.2083&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!13942~!1&ri=2&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Happersberger,+Frank,+1859-1932,+sculptor.&index=AUTHOR&uindex=&aspect=Browse&menu=search&ri=2
  3. ↑ Todd, Gail (March 15, 2012). "Civic Center: A blend of all things San Francisco". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 17, 2013.

External links

Coordinates: 37°46′47″N 122°24′57″W / 37.77970°N 122.41595°W / 37.77970; -122.41595

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