Donald Harcourt De Lue (October 5, 1897 – August 26, 1988) was an American
sculptor
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
, best known for his public monuments.
Life and career
De Lue was born in
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
. He studied at the
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
and later served as an assistant to sculptors
Richard Henry Recchia and
Robert P. Baker. This was followed by five years in
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
where he continued his study, while working as an assistant to various French artists. He returned to the United States where he was engaged by
Bryant Baker
Percy Bryant Baker (July 8, 1881 – March 29, 1970) better known as Bryant Baker, was a British-born American sculptor. He sculpted a number of busts of famous Americans (including five presidents). In 1910, Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdo ...
. In 1940 he was elected into the
National Academy of Design
The National Academy of Design is an honorary association of American artists, founded in New York City in 1825 by Samuel Morse, Asher Durand, Thomas Cole, Frederick Styles Agate, Martin E. Thompson, Charles Cushing Wright, Ithiel Town, an ...
as an Associate member, and became a full Academician in 1943.
In 1941, De Lue won a competition to create sculpture for the
U.S. Post Office and Courthouse Building in Philadelphia, and from then on he stopped being an assistant for other artists and only worked on his own commissions and creations.
De Lue's works can be found in many museums across America. Like many other sculptors of his generation, he executed architectural works. He was also a prolific designer of
medal
A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...
s and
medallion
A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...
s.
De Lue taught at the
Beaux-Arts Institute of Design
The Beaux-Arts Institute of Design (BAID, later the National Institute for Architectural Education) was an art and architectural school at 304 East 44th Street in Turtle Bay, Manhattan, in New York City.[New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...]
during the early 1940s. In 1960, he won two
Henry Hering
Henry Hering (February 15, 1874 – January 15, 1949) was an American sculptor.
Early career
He was a student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens at Cooper Union and of Philip Martiny at the Art Students League of New York. He then went to Paris where ...
Awards, given by the
National Sculpture Society
Founded in 1893, the National Sculpture Society (NSS) was the first organization of professional sculptors formed in the United States. The purpose of the organization was to promote the welfare of American sculptors, although its founding member ...
for outstanding collaboration between a sculptor and an architect, for the
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial () is a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. It is located on the site of the former temporary ...
in
Colleville-sur-Mer
Colleville-sur-Mer (, literally ''Colleville on Sea'') is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandie region in northwestern France.
History
It was originally a farm owned by a certain ''Koli'', a Scandinavian settler in the Middle ...
, France, and for the
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, also known as the Via Dolorosa, Way of Sorrows or the , are a series of fourteen images depicting Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ on the day of Crucifixion of Jesus, his crucifixion and acc ...
at the Loyola Jesuit Seminary in
Shrub Oak, New York
Shrub Oak is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located in the town of Yorktown in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 2,011 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Shrub Oak is located at (41.330178, ...
.
In 1967, De Lue won the
American Numismatic Society
The American Numismatic Society (ANS) is a New York City-based organization dedicated to the study of coins, money, medals, tokens, and related objects. Founded in 1858, it is the only American museum devoted exclusively to their preservation ...
's ''J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal'', known as the ''
Saltus Award
The J. Sanford Saltus Medal Award is an annual award made to artists "for lifetime achievement in medallic art". It is administered by the American Numismatic Society. The award was first awarded in 1913 on the initiative of J. Sanford Saltus to re ...
''.
Beginning in 1964, for many years De Lue was a Trustee of
Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve, located just south of Murrells Inlet, in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The property includes several themed gardens featuring American figurative sculptures, the Lowcountry Zo ...
, as well as Chairman of the Art Committee.
In his later years, De Lue and his wife Naomi (who served as a model for many of his statues) lived in the
Leonardo section of
Middletown Township, New Jersey
Middletown Township is a Township (New Jersey), township in northern Monmouth County, New Jersey, Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township was List of municipalities in New Jersey, the ...
, a small shore town with a bayside beach and long-distance view of lower Manhattan. De Lue cited the
23rd Psalm
Psalm 23 is the 23rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The Lord is my shepherd". In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a b ...
and the words "He leadeth me beside the still waters..." as the inspiration by which he arrived in Leonardo from New York City. Although he continued to maintain his NYC apartment, it was in his Leonardo studio that many of his largest statues were made. One of the last was a commission by a private individual intended for the
Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna reclaimed the Alam ...
in San Antonio, Texas. The bigger-than-life statue of
James Bowie
James Bowie ( ) (April 10, 1796 – March 6, 1836) was an American military officer, landowner and slave trader who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He was among the Americans who died at the Battle of the Alamo. Stories of him ...
,
William B. Travis, and
Davy Crockett
Colonel (United States), Colonel David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American politician, militia officer and frontiersman. Often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier", he represented Tennesse ...
was considered "too violent" by the
Daughters of the Republic of Texas
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) is a lineal association dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the founding families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas is best known for its former role as ...
for placement in a sacred chapel. A compromise was sought, that the statue be installed outside the building in the large courtyard rather than inside. DeLue and his patron, a wealthy Texan, preferred the statue be installed in the interior space for which it was made. Unfortunately, the impasse was never resolved in De Lue's lifetime.
Donald and Naomi De Lue are buried in
Manalapan Township, New Jersey
Manalapan Township (, ) is a Township (New Jersey), township in western Monmouth County, New Jersey, Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is centrally located within the Raritan River, Raritan Valley Region and is a pa ...
at the cemetery at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church.
Selected works
Pennsylvania sites
*''The Alchemist'', Chemistry Building,
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. One of nine colonial colleges, it was chartered in 1755 through the efforts of f ...
, Philadelphia, 1940.
*''Law'' and ''Justice'',
Robert N. C. Nix Sr. Federal Building, Philadelphia, 1941.
*''Eagles'', Old Federal Reserve Bank Building, Philadelphia, 1941.
*''Triton Fountain'', Old Federal Reserve Bank Building, Philadelphia, 1941.
*''Louisiana State Monument'',
Gettysburg Battlefield
The Gettysburg Battlefield is the area of the July 1–3, 1863, military engagements of the Battle of Gettysburg in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Locations of military engagements extend from the site of the first shot & at Knoxlyn Ridge ...
, Gettysburg, 1971.
*''Mississippi State Monument'',
Gettysburg Battlefield
The Gettysburg Battlefield is the area of the July 1–3, 1863, military engagements of the Battle of Gettysburg in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Locations of military engagements extend from the site of the first shot & at Knoxlyn Ridge ...
, Gettysburg, 1973.
*"Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy" Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, PA. Commemorated August 25, 1965.
*''George Washington Kneeling in Prayer'',
Freedoms Foundation
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge (now Founding Forward) is an American non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization, founded in 1949. The foundation is located adjacent to the Valley Forge National Historical Park, near Val ...
, Valley Forge, 1966–67.
Other U.S. sites
*''
Harvey S. Firestone Memorial'',
Akron, Ohio
Akron () is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Ohio, fifth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 190,469 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Akron metr ...
, 1950.
*Chancel sculpture at the
War Memorial Chapel at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, dedicated May 29, 1960.
*''George Washington as Master Mason'', Main Branch,
New Orleans Public Library
The New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) is the public library of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Succeeding earlier libraries in the city, it opened in 1897. Three branches were added by 1908. Carnegie library branches were adde ...
, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1959–60.
**Replicas at
Flushing, New York
Flushing is a neighborhood in the north-central portion of the New York City borough of Queens. The neighborhood is the fourth-largest central business district in New York City. Downtown Flushing is a major commercial and retail area, and the ...
1964,
Wallingford, Connecticut
Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, centrally located between New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford, and Boston and New York City. The town is part ...
1965,
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
1966,
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in Northern Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Washington, D.C., D.C. The city's population of 159,467 at the 2020 ...
1966,
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Michigan. The most populous city in Ingham County, Michigan, Ingham County, parts of the city extend into Eaton County, Michigan, Eaton County and nort ...
1982, and
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...
1987.
*''
Boy Scout Memorial
The Boy Scout Commemorative Tribute is a 1964 public artwork by American sculptor Donald De Lue, located on The Ellipse within The White House and President's Park in Washington, D.C., United States. The monument and fountain are maintained by ...
'',
President's Park
President's Park, located in downtown Washington, D.C., encompasses the White House and includes the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Treasury Building, and grounds; the White House Visitor Center; Lafayette Square; and The Ellips ...
, Washington, DC, 1963.
*''
Rocket Thrower'',
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Flushing may refer to:
Places
Netherlands
* Flushing, Netherlands, an English name for the city of Vlissingen, Netherlands
United Kingdom
* Flushing, Cornwall, a village in Cornwall, England
* The Flushing, a building in Suffolk, Englan ...
, Queens, New York City, 1964. Created for the
1964 New York World's Fair
The 1964 New York World's Fair (also known as the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair) was an world's fair, international exposition at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City, United States. The fair included exhibitions, activ ...
.
*''Quest Eternal'',
Prudential Tower
The Prudential Tower, also known as the Prudential Building or, colloquially, the Pru,subscription required The Pru' everyone calls it: a resigned shrug of a name, as flat and uninflected as the wan moue its pronunciation requires." is an Interna ...
, Boston, Massachusetts, 1967.
*''
Special Warfare Memorial Statue'' ("Bronze Bruce"),
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (formerly Fort Liberty from 2023–2025) is a United States Army, U.S. Army Military base, military installation located in North Carolina. It ranks among the largest military bases in the world by population, with more than 52,000 m ...
, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 1968. The first
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
memorial.
*''The Mountaineer'',
West Virginia University
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university with its main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. Its other campuses are those of the West Virginia University Ins ...
, Morgantown, West Virginia, 1971.
*''Thomas Jefferson'',
Wichita State University
Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 200 areas of study in ...
, Wichita, Kansas, 1975.
International sites
*
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial () is a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. It is located on the site of the former temporary ...
,
Colleville-sur-Mer
Colleville-sur-Mer (, literally ''Colleville on Sea'') is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandie region in northwestern France.
History
It was originally a farm owned by a certain ''Koli'', a Scandinavian settler in the Middle ...
, France, 1953–1956,
Harbeson, Hough, Livingston and Larson, architects.
**''The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves''. Surrounding the 22-foot (6.7.m) statue's base is the inscription: "MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD."
''Spirit of American Youth'' by Donald De Lue, 1953–1956, at the U.S. Battle Monument, St. Laurent, Normandy, France
**Allegorical figures of ''France'' and ''America''.
**Ceremonial urns.
Gallery
File:Alchemist Penn.JPG, ''The Alchemist'' (1940), University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. One of nine colonial colleges, it was chartered in 1755 through the efforts of f ...
, Philadelphia.
File:Justice Highsmith De Lue 02448u.jpg, ''Justice'' (1941), Robert N. C. Nix Sr. Federal Building, Philadelphia.
File:Highsmith De Lue Law 02449u.jpg, ''Law'' (1941), Robert N. C. Nix Sr. Federal Building, Philadelphia.
File:NOPLWashingtonSide Statue Crop.jpg, ''George Washington as Master Mason'' (1959–60), New Orleans Public Library
The New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) is the public library of the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Succeeding earlier libraries in the city, it opened in 1897. Three branches were added by 1908. Carnegie library branches were adde ...
.
File:Boy Scout Memorial-27527.jpg, ''Boy Scout Memorial
The Boy Scout Commemorative Tribute is a 1964 public artwork by American sculptor Donald De Lue, located on The Ellipse within The White House and President's Park in Washington, D.C., United States. The monument and fountain are maintained by ...
'' (1963), President's Park
President's Park, located in downtown Washington, D.C., encompasses the White House and includes the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Treasury Building, and grounds; the White House Visitor Center; Lafayette Square; and The Ellips ...
, Washington D.C.
File:Rocket thrower Unisphere jeh.jpg, '' Rocket Thrower'' (1964), Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park (often referred to as Flushing Meadows Park or simply Flushing Meadows or Corona Park) is a public park in the northern part of Queens in New York City, New York, U.S. It is bounded by Interstate 678 (New York), ...
, Queens, New York City.
File:Wvu-mountaineer.jpg, ''The Mountaineer '' (1971), West Virginia University
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university with its main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. Its other campuses are those of the West Virginia University Ins ...
, Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States, and its county seat. It is situated along the Monongahela River in North Central West Virginia and is the home of West Virginia University. The population was 30,347 at the 2 ...
File:Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania, US (33).jpg, Mississippi State Monument (1973), Gettysburg Battlefield
The Gettysburg Battlefield is the area of the July 1–3, 1863, military engagements of the Battle of Gettysburg in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Locations of military engagements extend from the site of the first shot & at Knoxlyn Ridge ...
.
File:Rocket Thrower 6197-001.jpg, Unisphere reflecting pool,(1963) The Rocketman, as the park workers call him. Bronze, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park (often referred to as Flushing Meadows Park or simply Flushing Meadows or Corona Park) is a public park in the northern part of Queens in New York City, New York, U.S. It is bounded by Interstate 678 (New York), ...
References
Notes
Further reading
*Goode, James M. ''The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington D.C.'', Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C., 1974
*Kvaran, Einar Einarsson, ''Architectural Sculpture in America'', unpublished manuscript
*Nishiura, Elizabeth, editor, ''American Battle Monuments: A Guide to Military Cemeteries and Monuments Maintained By the American Battle Monuments Commission'', Omnigraphics Inc., Detroit, Michigan, 1989
*Proske, Beatrice Gilman, ''Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture'', Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina, 1968
External links
Comprehensive list of public monuments by Donald De Lue
from www.sculptor.org.
{{DEFAULTSORT:De Lue, Donald
1897 births
1988 deaths
American architectural sculptors
American male sculptors
20th-century American sculptors
Sculptors from Boston
People from Middletown Township, New Jersey
Sculptors from New York City
National Academy of Design members
Sculptors from New York (state)
20th-century American male artists
Members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters