Public Art Details
Alexander von Humboldt
Artist: Ferdinand von Miller, II
Region: Tower Grove Park
Location: Tower Grove Park - In the center traffic circle
Address: Tower Grove Av at Magnolia Av, Saint Louis, MO 63116
Artist Bio:
born: Munich, Germany; 1842-1929
Dimensions: 11' H, 4' W, 4' D
Year completed: 1878
Material: Bronze on limestone pedestal with bronze plaques
Owner: Tower Grove Park
Donor: Henry Shaw
Description:
Henry Shaw wanted fine music and works of art in his Tower Grove Park, so he hired architects to build cupola-covered bandstands and commissioned artists to produce sculptures, including marble busts of his favorite composers -Mozart, Rossini, Wagner, Beethoven, Gounod and Verdi. Busts of Sullivan and Donizetti were planned for the last two pedestals, but Shaw passed away before they could be produced, so simple marble spheres took their place. Beginning in 1873, Shaw provided free Sunday concerts during summer months, featuring at leastone piece by one of the composers represented on the busts.
The badly deteriorated original busts were put in storage at the park in 1992 and replaced with the replica composite stone sculptures that are on view today. Several of the original pieces are on view in the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park.
The 11-foot high statue of the famous German naturalist and explorer represents von Homboldt in his prime, wearing a period traveling costume. It sits atop a massive, 13-foot high red granite pedestal, opposite von Miller's statue of Shakespeare. On the pedestal are four bronze panels: a title identifying the explorer; a view of Mount Chimborazo, the summit which von Humboldt was the first to reach; the valley of the Amazon that von Humboldt explored; and a likeness of the donor, Henry Shaw, with an inscription honoring travelers.
Von Miller was the son of the founder of the Royal Bronze Foundry, where many of America's major nineteenth century monuments were cast. While managing his inherited business, he also worked as a sculptor in stone and bronze. From 1900 to 1918 he was the Director of the Munich Academy.
