Gettysburg Sculptures

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Gettysburg Sculptures

United States

Sculptor and other related information

Karl GerhardtSculptor of the G. K. Warren Monument_Gerhardt was born in Boson Massachusetts on January 7, 1853. His early career was as a machinist working for various foundries and machine tool companies. In 1881 Gerhardt married Harriet Josephine Gloyd, know as "Hattie." When not working, Gerhardt would purse his hobby of sculpting often using Hattie as his model. Living near the Gerhardt's, was famed author Samuel Clemens. One day Hattie would pay an unscheduled visit to the Clemen's home. She insisted that Clemens visit their home to view a recently completed sculpture. Several days later Clemens would visit the Gerhardt's home where he would view the recently completed nude clay portrait of Hattie. Clemens would later write of his surprise at "this girl's innocence and purity, exhibiting her naked self." Clemens would later ask for the appraisals of other noted sculptors and receiving positive comments, would finance Gerhardt's education as a sculptor.Moving to Paris, Gerhardt would spend 5 years in training at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts. One of Gerhardt's first major commissions was a bust of "Mark Twain" and when photographed would be used as a front piece for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. One of the honors presented to Gerhardt would be to create the death mask of General U. S. Grant. Upon the death of Grant in June of 1886, Gerhardt would be summoned into the room where the body of Grant laid. In true Victorian tradition, a plaster mask of the face of the deceased General was rendered. Following the creation of the mask, Gerhardt indicated he had no contract with the Grant's and elected to keep the mask. After a lengthy scandle, his old friend Samual Clemens, would intervene and the mask was returned to the Grants. Poor press from the Grant scandle, and poor buisness investments would contribute to Gerhard's downfall. During the 1890's Gerhardt's popularity as an artist began to dwindle. Then on June 3, 1897 his beloved Hattie would die a victim of a "rusty nail."With the death of Hattie, Gerhardt began his journey into obscurity. His name is listed in 1908 in a New Orleans public directory and his occupation is listed as a bartender. Gerhardt would never marry again and would die on May 7, 1940. Today he rests in Blanchard, Louisiana. Engraved on his headstone is "Renowned Artist, Special Friend of Mark Twain."

This is a rare albumen photograph of the clay model of the Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren monument in the sculptor's studio in Hartford Conn. This model would be sent to the Henry - Bonnard Bronze Company, New York. The final bronze would be cast in 1888. ______________________________-The Warren Monument Committee chaired by Hiram Duryea would write, "The statue in bronze was considered preferable to any granite or marble pile we might erect, as there is a meaning in it and its situation, which would not exist in any other style of monument placed elsewhere."

Karl Gerhardt's simple, but dignified signature on the base of the monument. Special thanks to Duane Rowe for this photo. He stands 6'3" and leaned over to get this close up, never getting on the boulder.________________(visitors are not allowed to stand on the large boulder where the monument stands. This is so noted by a bronze sign affixed to the front of the boulder.)

National Guard Soldiers at the Warren Monument c1910 2nd New York Cavalry Monument (dedicated September 19, 1892) bronze bas- relief by Karl Gerhardt located at Gettysburg.
Gerhardt's initials in the bronze of the 2nd New York Cavalry._________________________ Another of Gerhard't works at Gettysburg is the Vermont State Memorial. At the top of the monument is the bronze statue of General George Stannard. Gerhardt would use photos of General Stannard as he created the bronze statue. When Gerhardt had finished modeling the statue, a plaster cast was taken of the head and taken by Gerhardt to Burlington and shown to Mrs. Stannard and her daughters. They pronounced it an excellent portrait. The monument was dedicated on October 9, 1889.
Vermont State MemorialGettysburg, PA

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Gettysburg Sculptures

United States