dcMemorials Home
Site Map
Full Index
Artist Index
Subject Index
Metro Index
Contact us
Help / FAQ

Reference book:
'Washington Sculpture'
by James M. Goode

<< Previous Sculpture
The Mall ring (49 pieces)
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring


Next Sculpture >>
The Mall ring (49 pieces)
Go to Massachusetts Ave ring

.

DOWNING, Andrew Jackson: Urn on the east side of the Arts & Industries Bldg in Washington, D.C.
by Robert E Launitz, Calvert Vaux
located in James M. Goode's The Mall area (click link for more in that area)

Scroll down for 6 pictures
Click here for more info

Andrew Jackson Downing (October 30, 1815 – July 28, 1852) was an American landscape designer and writer, a prominent advocate of the Gothic Revival style in the United States, and editor of The Horticulturist magazine (1846-52). Together with Calvert Vaux he designed many significant projects, including the grounds in the White House and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Source: Wikipedia



With the Smithsonian "Castle"

Previous sculpture — Next sculpture
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring — Go to Massachusetts Ave ring
Back to top


0000001/00453_0000006230.jpg (added ca. 2006)



Previous sculpture — Next sculpture
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring — Go to Massachusetts Ave ring
Back to top


0000001/00453_0000006240.jpg (added ca. 2006)


Andrew Jackson Downing Urn
Designed in honor of Andrew Jackson Downing
by Calvert Vaux, Downing's architectural partner, 1856
Carrara marble urn * American marble base and pedestal

In 1850 Andrew Jackson Downing transformed the Mall into the
nation's first landscaped public park using informal, romantic
arrangements of circular carriage drives and plantings of rare
American trees. Downing's design endured until 1934, when the
Mall was restored to Pierre L'Enfant's 1791 plan. Downing (1815-52),
the father of American landscape architecture, also designed
the White House and Capitol grounds.

The memorial urn stood on the Mall near the Smithsonian's
National Museum of Natural History for 109 years (1856-1965). In
1972, it was restored and placed on the lawn east of the
Smithsonian Building ("Castle") flag tower. In 1987, it was
relocated to the Rose Garden at the Castle's east door. The urn
was moved to its location in the Enid A. Haupt Garden in [1999?]

Previous sculpture — Next sculpture
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring — Go to Massachusetts Ave ring
Back to top


0000001/00453_0000006250.jpg (added ca. 2006)


THIS VASE
WAS ERECTED BY HIS FRIENDS
IN MEMORY OF,BR>ANDREW JACKSON DOWNING.
WHO DIED JULY 18 1852, AGED 37 YEARS
HE WAS BORN AND LIVED AND DIED UPON THE HUDSON RIVER.TASTE IN RURAL ART.
AN OFICE WHICH HIS GENIUS AND THE NATURAL BEAUTY AMIDST
WHICH HE LIVED HAD FULLY ENDOWED HIM.
HIS SUCCESS WAS AS GREAT AS HIS GENIUS, AND FOR THE DEATH
OF FEW PUBLIC MEN
WAS PUBLIC GRIEF EVER MORE SINCERE
WHEN THESE GROUNDS WERE PROPOSED, HE WAS AT ONCE
CALLED TO DESIGN THEM
BUT BEFORE THEY WERE COMPLETED HE PERISHED IN THE WRECK
OF THE STEAMER HENRY CLAY.
HIS MIND WAS SINGULARLY JUST, PENETRATING AND ORIGINAL.
HIS MANNERS WERE CALM, RESERVED, AND COURTEOUS.
HIS PERSONAL MEMORY
BELONGS TO THE FRIENDS WHO LOVED HIM;
HIS FAME TO THE COUNTRY WHICH HONORS AND LAMENTS HIM.

Previous sculpture — Next sculpture
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring — Go to Massachusetts Ave ring
Back to top


0000001/00453_0000006260.jpg (added ca. 2006)



Previous sculpture — Next sculpture
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring — Go to Massachusetts Ave ring
Back to top


0000001/00453_0000006270.jpg (added ca. 2006)


Welcome to the Enid A. Haupt Garden. This 4.3-acre
rooftop garden features design elements
that complement the surrounding museums. The
garden contains pools, fountains, a floral parterre,
and a collection of antique garden furnishings.
Enjoy your visit!
*Keep off the grass
*Do not litter
*No ball-playing, bicycling, jogging, skateboarding or rollerblading
*No pets (service animals only)*No soliciting

Previous sculpture — Next sculpture
Go to Judiciary Sq. & E. Downtown ring — Go to Massachusetts Ave ring
Back to top


0000001/00453_0000006280.jpg (added ca. 2006)

More Info
See
James M. Goode's
'Washington Sculpture' (hardcover p 301 Item #7.19; The Mall area);
'Outdoor Sculpture' (paperback p258 Item #G-10)

Medium: Marble
Artist: Robert E Launitz, Calvert Vaux
Location: Jefferson Drive & 9th St NW Washington, D.C.
See The Mall area in James Goode's Washington Sculpture
Nearest Metro: Smithsonian (Orange - Blue) (click station name for all pieces nearby)
Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog: Control number 77002353 (dcMem ID #453 )

Links & other sources
ADC Greater Washington, DC Street Map Book (108)
'Who is That Man Anyway?' on Downing (56)
Incorrectly labeled as "Arthur Vining" Wikipedia article on Downing
NPS.gov List of Classified Structures on Downing urn

Back to top
Contact Us
© 2008 dcMemorials.com, all rights reserved