Frederick Douglass Circle (Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY)

Dublin Core

Title

Frederick Douglass Circle (Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY)

Subject

Subject (Topic)
Abolitionists--United States
Anti-slavery movements--United States
Public art
Public sculpture
New York--History
Northeastern United States

Subject (Name)
Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Subject (Object Type)
Commemorative sculpture

Description

An elder Frederick Douglass is depicted seated on a scissors chair— the armrests are adorned with the faces of open-mouthed lions, while the chair’s legs have been carved in the shape of lion’s legs. In bas-relief, the chair’s back is embellished with a widely circulated 18th-century anti-slavery medallion manufactured by the English potter Josiah Wedgwood. The design, which was likely created by the sculptor Henry Webber, features an enslaved black man, kneeling and bound by chains. The text below the figure reads “Am I not a friend and a brother?” The medallion became an important emblem of the abolitionist movement in both Britain and the United States.  In Douglass's right hand, he holds the text to an 1883 speech that he delivered to mark the 20th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The speech is continued on the pavement.

Creator

Bagwell, Vinnie, 1957-

Source

Photograph: Hofstra University, https://www.flickr.com/photos/hofstrauniversity/39344857345/in/photostream/

Date

Dedicated: October 29, 2008

Contributor

Hofstra University

Rights

Hofstra University Museum of Art, 112 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, 11549, United States

Format

JPEG

Language

English

Type

Visual Arts-Sculpture

Coverage

Daniel L. Monroe Lecture Center Courtyard, South Campus, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, 11549, United States

Has Part

Inscription at base of sculpture:
Frederick Douglass Circle
Vinne Bagwell
2008

Inscription on sheet in Douglass' hand:
"Until color shall cease to be a bar to equal participation in the offices and honor of the country, this discussion will go on... Until the American people shall make character and not color the criterion of respectability, this discussion will go on..." --1883

Inscription on granite circle:
Need text

Extent

53.5 x 33 x 28.25 in. (135.98 x 83.82 x 71.76 cm.)

Medium

Bronze; Mesabi black granite

Bibliographic Citation

Bagwell, Vinnie, "Frederick Douglass Circle." Coda Worx. Accessed October 31, 2019: https://www.codaworx.com/project/frederick-douglass-circle-hofstra-university.

"Hofstra Happenings-Special 2008: Historic Sculpture Dedicated at Hofstra University." Hofstra Magazine, December 14, 2007. Accessed May 23, 2020, https://news.hofstra.edu/2007/12/14/hofstra-happenings-special-2008/.

Rights Holder

Renée Ater

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Sculpture

Physical Dimensions