Calvin Fletcher (bust)
Encyclopedia
Calvin Fletcher is a public artwork by an unknown artist, located inside the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis
, Indiana
, United States
. The marble bust depicts Calvin Fletcher
(1798–1866), a man who settled in Indiana early in the state's history and went on to become an attorney and senator. The bust stands 47.5 inches (121 centimeters) high, has a width of 20 inches (51 centimeters) and a depth of 10.25 inches (26 centimeters).
statue that consists of a 17.5 inch (44.5 centimeter) high pedestal and a 30 inch (76.2 centimeter) bust of Calvin Fletcher. The bust portrays Calvin Fletcher's unsmiling face and formal attire. His gaze is forward. The bottom part of the bust turns into a narrow column that sits atop the larger portion of the pedestal base. The base is plain, save for spiral detailing on the proper left and proper right sides. Each spiral ends with a flower containing four evenly shaped petals. Below the spiraling the base widens slightly. Along the bottom of the proper front base, the words "CALVIN FLETCHER" have been carved and painted a gold color. These letters are each 2.5 inches tall. The sculpture sits inside a stone niche
and a small gold plaque has been placed just beneath it. Although not attached to the sculpture, it describes the subject matter, stating:
CALVIN FLETCHER
BORN FEB. 14, 1788- DIED MAY 26, 1866
EARLY SETTLER AND LANDOWNER.
CONNECTED WITH SECOND STATE BANK.
AN ATTORNEY.
SERVED IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1826-1833.
was an early settler in Indiana, traveling to Indianapolis in 1821 when he learned that it would be the new seat of Indiana government. He began a law practice in the fledgling city and was eventually elected to the state senate where he served for seven years. Fletcher was also a trustee of the Indianapolis city schools and a leader of the Masonic Center lodge. Fletcher was also considered a religious man and lent financial support to a large number of early churches in the Indianapolis area. These endeavors led him to become a prominent figure in Indianapolis society in the mid-1800s. He became known particularly for his anti-slavery stance and was regarded as a defender of the African American community in Indianapolis.
Calvin Fletcher represents a historical figure through the use of marble sculpture
. Stone sculpture has been a form of artistic expression for centuries and marble was used frequently as a medium by ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Marble is often selected by artists for its translucent quality which can add realism to faces and figures. Marble that has been newly quarried is considered relatively soft and easier than other stones to sculpt. The carving process involves the use of various chisels and hammers to remove large chunks of the marble, then the artist continues to whittle away pieces of the stone until precise detail can be achieved.
alcove. Prior to this, the bust was on display in a niche outside the south door to the senate chamber. In 2004, a proposal was submitted for a local artist to create a bust of the late Frank O'Bannon
, and upon its completion, the Frank O'Bannon Bust was placed where the Calvin Fletcher Bust once stood. Since that time, it has remained on the fourth floor.
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The marble bust depicts Calvin Fletcher
Calvin Fletcher
Calvin Fletcher was an attorney and legislator from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.-Early life:Fletcher was born in Ludlow, Vermont to Jesse and Lucy Keyes Fletcher. He started out for Urbana, Ohio in 1817 where he studied law in Urbana under James Cooley and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1820...
(1798–1866), a man who settled in Indiana early in the state's history and went on to become an attorney and senator. The bust stands 47.5 inches (121 centimeters) high, has a width of 20 inches (51 centimeters) and a depth of 10.25 inches (26 centimeters).
Description
Calvin Fletcher is a marbleMarble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
statue that consists of a 17.5 inch (44.5 centimeter) high pedestal and a 30 inch (76.2 centimeter) bust of Calvin Fletcher. The bust portrays Calvin Fletcher's unsmiling face and formal attire. His gaze is forward. The bottom part of the bust turns into a narrow column that sits atop the larger portion of the pedestal base. The base is plain, save for spiral detailing on the proper left and proper right sides. Each spiral ends with a flower containing four evenly shaped petals. Below the spiraling the base widens slightly. Along the bottom of the proper front base, the words "CALVIN FLETCHER" have been carved and painted a gold color. These letters are each 2.5 inches tall. The sculpture sits inside a stone niche
Niche (architecture)
A niche in classical architecture is an exedra or an apse that has been reduced in size, retaining the half-dome heading usual for an apse. Nero's Domus Aurea was the first semi-private dwelling that possessed rooms that were given richly varied floor plans, shaped with niches and exedras;...
and a small gold plaque has been placed just beneath it. Although not attached to the sculpture, it describes the subject matter, stating:
CALVIN FLETCHER
BORN FEB. 14, 1788- DIED MAY 26, 1866
EARLY SETTLER AND LANDOWNER.
CONNECTED WITH SECOND STATE BANK.
AN ATTORNEY.
SERVED IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1826-1833.
Historical information
Calvin FletcherCalvin Fletcher
Calvin Fletcher was an attorney and legislator from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.-Early life:Fletcher was born in Ludlow, Vermont to Jesse and Lucy Keyes Fletcher. He started out for Urbana, Ohio in 1817 where he studied law in Urbana under James Cooley and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1820...
was an early settler in Indiana, traveling to Indianapolis in 1821 when he learned that it would be the new seat of Indiana government. He began a law practice in the fledgling city and was eventually elected to the state senate where he served for seven years. Fletcher was also a trustee of the Indianapolis city schools and a leader of the Masonic Center lodge. Fletcher was also considered a religious man and lent financial support to a large number of early churches in the Indianapolis area. These endeavors led him to become a prominent figure in Indianapolis society in the mid-1800s. He became known particularly for his anti-slavery stance and was regarded as a defender of the African American community in Indianapolis.
Calvin Fletcher represents a historical figure through the use of marble sculpture
Marble sculpture
Marble sculpture is the art of creating three-dimensional forms from marble. Sculpture is among the oldest of the arts. Even before painting cave walls, early humans fashioned shapes from stone. From these beginnings, artifacts have evolved to their current complexity...
. Stone sculpture has been a form of artistic expression for centuries and marble was used frequently as a medium by ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Marble is often selected by artists for its translucent quality which can add realism to faces and figures. Marble that has been newly quarried is considered relatively soft and easier than other stones to sculpt. The carving process involves the use of various chisels and hammers to remove large chunks of the marble, then the artist continues to whittle away pieces of the stone until precise detail can be achieved.
Location history
Calvin Fletcher is currently located on the fourth floor of the Indiana Statehouse, on the west side of the building in the rotundaRotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
alcove. Prior to this, the bust was on display in a niche outside the south door to the senate chamber. In 2004, a proposal was submitted for a local artist to create a bust of the late Frank O'Bannon
Frank O'Bannon
Frank Lewis O'Bannon was an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Indiana from 1997 until his death in 2003.-Background:...
, and upon its completion, the Frank O'Bannon Bust was placed where the Calvin Fletcher Bust once stood. Since that time, it has remained on the fourth floor.
See also
- George Rogers Clark (McLary)
- William H. English (Indianapolis)
- List of public art at the Indiana Statehouse
- Marble sculptureMarble sculptureMarble sculpture is the art of creating three-dimensional forms from marble. Sculpture is among the oldest of the arts. Even before painting cave walls, early humans fashioned shapes from stone. From these beginnings, artifacts have evolved to their current complexity...