The Rescue

Title

The Rescue

Description

A large sculpture depicting a frontier father defending his family from an attacking American Indian, "The Rescue" has been a source of controversy since its installation in 1850. Sculptor Horatio Greenough stated that he was trying to show the dangers of "peopling our continent," but objections have ranged from the criticism of the attitude of the dog to various objections to its portrayal of American Indians. The US House of Representatives voted on, but did not pass, a provision to destroy the sculpture in 1939. After advocacy by American Indians and members of Congress, the statue was removed in 1958.

Source

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View original.

Date

1850 (Finished)
1958 (Removed)

Coverage

1830-1859
1950-1979

Physical Description

The marble statue depicts a frontiersman struggling with an American Indian man while a white woman and child huddle in the background. A dog watches the conflict. The statue stood to one side of the main staircase on the eastern face of the Capitol, on the right side as one faced the building.

Description

A large sculpture depicting a frontier father defending his family from an attacking American Indian, "The Rescue" has been a source of controversy since its installation in 1850. Sculptor Horatio Greenough stated that he was trying to show the dangers of "peopling our continent," but objections have ranged from the criticism of the attitude of the dog to various objections to its portrayal of American Indians. The US House of Representatives voted on, but did not pass, a provision to destroy the sculpture in 1939. After advocacy by American Indians and members of Congress, the statue was removed in 1958.

Creator

Horatio Greenough

Date

1850 (Finished)

Coverage

1830-1859

Source

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View original.

Geolocation