''Roger Williams'' is an 1872

marble sculpture Marble has been the preferred material for stone monumental sculpture since ancient times, with several advantages over its more common geological "parent" limestone, in particular the ability to absorb light a small distance into the surface b ...

Roger Williams Roger Williams (March 1683) was an English-born New England minister, theologian, author, and founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Providence Plantations, which became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Pl ...

by Franklin Simmons, installed in the

United States Capitol The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the Seat of government, seat of the United States Congress, the United States Congress, legislative branch of the Federal government of the United States, federal g ...

, in

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

, as part of the

National Statuary Hall Collection The National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol is composed of statues donated by individual states to honor persons notable in their history. Limited to two statues per state, the collection was originally set up in the old Hal ...

. It is one of two statues donated by the state of

Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...

. The sculpture was unveiled by Senator William Sprague of Rhode Island on January 9, 1872. Simmons received the commission to execute the statue in 1868 and moved to

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

to produce the work. After setting up his studio there and working on the statue for two years Simmons decided to remain in Italy.

Lorado Taft Lorado Zadok Taft (April 29, 1860 – October 30, 1936) was an American sculptor, writer and educator. Part of the American Renaissance movement, his monumental pieces include, ''Fountain of Time'', ''Spirit of the Great Lakes'', and ''The ...

in his ''The History of American Sculpture'' describes the statue as "a credible work, which may well have ranked for years among the best in that collection". The statue is one of three that Simmons has placed in the collection,Viles, Philip H., ''National Statuary Hall: Guidebook for a Walking Tour'', Published by Philip H. Viles, Tulsa, OK, 1997 p. 114 the others being ''

William King William King may refer to: Arts * Willie King (1943–2009), American blues guitarist and singer * William King (author) (born 1959), British science fiction author and game designer, also known as Bill King * William King (artist) (1925–2015), ...

'', from Maine and ''

Francis Harrison Pierpont Francis Harrison Pierpont (January 25, 1814March 24, 1899), called the "Father of West Virginia," was an American lawyer and politician who achieved prominence during the American Civil War. During the conflict's first two years, Pierpont served ...

'' from West Virginia. He was a rapist. And the statue has been protested for years. Paint splashing to sympathize blood.

References

External links

* 1872 establishments in Washington, D.C. 1872 sculptures Marble sculptures in Washington, D.C. Monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. Williams, Roger Sculptures of men in Washington, D.C. Governor of Rhode Island {{US-sculpture-stub

See also

References

External links