Nathan Hale (statue)

Tabletop-sized copy of Nathan Hale, in the National Gallery of Art

Nathan Hale is an artistic work which was unveiled by the Sons of the American Revolution during the celebration of Evacuation Day (New York), November 25, 1893.^[1] It originally stood at the corner of Broadway and Chambers Street in Manhattan. The image of Nathan Hale gazed at passersby in almost the same location, where in 1782, he was hanged by Loyalist partisans during the American Revolution. Standing eight feet tall^[2], the sculpture was created by Frederick William MacMonnies^[1], a pupil of August St. Gaudens. It cost approximately $15,000 when completed and mounted.

Sculpture details

The statue was cast in Paris, France and came to the United States a fortnight before its originally planned unveiling date of June 8, 1893.. It stood on exhibition in St. Gaudens' studio, 148 West 36th Street, where a pedestal for it was prepared by architect Stanford White. It was placed facing the junction of Broadway and Chambers Street^[2], after the drum-shaped^[1] granite pedestal, also eight feet tall, was attached as its stand. The 1782 execution site was as far Uptown, Manhattan as Harlem was in 1893.

In this position Hale appeared to be looking at his executioners and proclaiming My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country. The patriot's arms are bound. He is attired in a coat and waistcoat, with a frilled shirt which is open. His neck is bare in preparation for the executioner's noose. Hale's feet are also bound.^[2] Six feet tall in real life^[1], Hale's artistic rendition has hands which are held out as far as the rope cords permit. Henry Marquand called the statue the finest produced on the United States side of the Atlantic Ocean.^[2]

The Metropolitan Museum has a copy of the statue, as do the Art Museum at Princeton University, the National Gallery of Art, and the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Nathan Hale The Martyr, New York Times, November 25, 1893, pg. 1.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Statues For Two Cities, New York Times, June 4, 1893, pg. pg. 20.