Spanish-American War Monument

Spanish American War Monument 1926, bronze cast 1927  bronze figure and granite base. Signed in the bronze “Evelyn B. Longman 1926.” Bushnell Park near intersection of Elm & Trinity Streets

Hartford’s Spanish American War Monument was erected to “commemorate the valor and patriotism of the Hartford men who served their country in the war with Spain in 1898.”  The majestic female winged figure of Victory derives her pose from ancient Hellenistic prototypes.  The most famous source is the Nike of Samothrace executed in 190 B.C. and now in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.  Longman’s Victory holds a torch in one hand and carries a shield emblazoned with echoes of the American flag in the other.  The Winged Victory strides forward on a ship’s prow decorated with a beak in the form of the American eagle.

On the granite exedra base are located two bronze reliefs, one depicting an American sailor and the other a soldier.