WASHINGTON DC, United States — The John Ericsson Memorial honors the Swedish-American engineer and inventor who designed the USS Monitor during the American Civil War. Located in West Potomac Park near the Lincoln Memorial, this bronze statue by sculptor James Earle Fraser was dedicated in 1926. Ericsson is depicted seated, flanked by allegorical figures representing Adventure, Labor, and Vision.
Image details
Contributor:
David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
CRXT2HFile size:
44 MB (2.2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4802 x 3201 px | 40.7 x 27.1 cm | 16 x 10.7 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
2 July 2012Location:
John Ericsson National Memorial, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of AmericaMore information:
Photograph by David Coleman. The John Ericsson Memorial is a tribute to the influential Swedish-American inventor and naval engineer John Ericsson, best known for his revolutionary design of the USS Monitor, an ironclad warship that played a crucial role in the American Civil War. Located in West Potomac Park, near the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River, this monument was dedicated in 1926 to honor Ericsson's contributions to American naval technology and engineering. The memorial features a large bronze statue of Ericsson, created by sculptor Charles Grafly, seated in contemplation. The statue is flanked by three allegorical figures representing Adventure, Labor, and Vision, symbolizing the key elements of Ericsson's career and achievements. These figures were completed by sculptor Aristide Cianfarani after Grafly's death. The neoclassical architecture of the memorial, designed by architect Albert Randolph Ross, includes a granite exedra that forms a backdrop for the sculptures. The monument stands approximately 20 feet tall and 150 feet wide, making it a significant yet often overlooked landmark in the National Mall area. John Ericsson's legacy extends beyond the USS Monitor; he made numerous contributions to naval engineering, including the design of the ship's screw propeller, which revolutionized maritime technology. The memorial serves not only as a tribute to Ericsson but also as a symbol of Swedish-American relations and the impact of immigration on American innovation and progress.