Making of the Memorial

"This thing of Saint-Gaudens strikes me as real perfection."
—Henry James

The Robert Gould Shaw/54th Massachusetts Memorial stands in a location of honor along Beacon Street, across from the Massachusetts State House. While recognizing the sacrifice of the soldiers and their colonel, the Memorial also recalls the moment the 54th Regiment marched up Beacon Street to head off for war in May 1863.

The creation of the Memorial grew out of the tireless efforts of Bostonians who fundraised and supported its creation, as well as the sculptor who produced this singular piece. This gallery explores the journey from early calls for memorialization immediately following the Battle of Fort Wagner to the Memorial’s dedication in 1897.

Gallery 1: The Sculptor: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Considered one of the country's most highly regarded sculptors of the 1800s, Augustus Saint-Gaudens helped shape a distinctly American school of art. After studying in Europe, Saint-Gaudens returned to the United States and quickly became a sought-after artist. He completed over 150 artworks during the prime of his artistic career, working with a variety of mediums such as bronze, plaster, stone, and wood.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Born in Ireland, Augustus Saint-Gaudens immigrated to New York City with his family when under a year old. While young, Saint-Gaudens began to learn his… Explore More >

Born in Ireland, Augustus Saint-Gaudens immigrated to New York City with his family when under a year old. While young, Saint-Gaudens began to learn his craft as a cameo cutter before studying sculpting abroad. He returned to the United States in 1875 and soon became a well regarded sculptor. In 1882, Saint-Gaudens earned the commission for the Robert Gould Shaw 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. It took him 14 years to complete his masterpiece. His vision… Explore More >

Etching of Augustus Saint-Gaudens by Anders Zorn, 1897

Isabella Stewart Gardner collected this etching of Augustus Saint-Gaudens by painter and printmaker Anders Zorn, in 1897. Saint-Gaudens and Zorn met at the Chicago World’s… Explore More >

Isabella Stewart Gardner collected this etching of Augustus Saint-Gaudens by painter and printmaker Anders Zorn, in 1897. Saint-Gaudens and Zorn met at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, and they remained in the same creative circle. Apparently dissatisfied with his rendering of his friend, Zorn wrote on this print, “a bad portrait of St. Gaudens to Mrs. Gardner.”… Explore More >

Medal of John Singer Sargent

Isabella Stewart Gardner became acquainted with sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens around 1887 when she acquired this medal depicting their mutual friend, the painter John Singer Sargent. Explore More >

Isabella Stewart Gardner became acquainted with sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens around 1887 when she acquired this medal depicting their mutual friend, the painter John Singer Sargent. She went on to collect another medal and a sculpture of a winged foot that became the basis for her bookplate design. Explore More >

Saint-Gaudens’ Signature, Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Guest Book

Famed art collector, philanthropist, and museum founder, Isabella Stewart Gardner attended the unveiling of the Civil War Memorial on Memorial Day, 1897, and, that evening,… Explore More >

Famed art collector, philanthropist, and museum founder, Isabella Stewart Gardner attended the unveiling of the Civil War Memorial on Memorial Day, 1897, and, that evening, hosted its celebrated sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens and his family at the Boston Pops. Saint Gaudens signed her guest book with, “We are going to the Popular Concert which I hugely enjoy—a nervous day, the day of the unveiling of the Shaw.” To ensure the special day would be remembered,… Explore More >

Gallery 2: From Concepts to Studies

Sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens took 14 years to complete the Robert Gould Shaw/54th Massachusetts Memorial. While early renditions focused on a typical equestrian statue, Saint-Gaudens eventually expanded his work to place Col. Shaw among his soldiers. Saint-Gaudens also strove for realism, meticulously capturing the faces of individual models for each soldier. Dive into his process of creating the Memorial through this featured gallery.

Early Sketch for the Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial

Augustus Saint-Gaudens initially accepted a commission to honor Col. Robert Gould Shaw. This early sketch illustrates the sculptor’s initial concept before his eventual inclusion of… Explore More >

Augustus Saint-Gaudens initially accepted a commission to honor Col. Robert Gould Shaw. This early sketch illustrates the sculptor’s initial concept before his eventual inclusion of the African American troops. Explore More >

Proposed layout for added inscription Robert Gould Shaw Memorial

Architectural sketch done in preparation for the addition of names of the black enlisted men of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment to the back of the… Explore More >

Architectural sketch done in preparation for the addition of names of the black enlisted men of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment to the back of the Robert Gould Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial on the Boston Common. This sketch was created by the company responsible for cutting the names into the stone of the existing monument. Explore More >

Preliminary Sketches of Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial

It is clear in these early sketches that sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens initially worked to honor only Col. Robert Gould Shaw. Depictions of African American soldiers… Explore More >

It is clear in these early sketches that sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens initially worked to honor only Col. Robert Gould Shaw. Depictions of African American soldiers grew in importance as the process of developing the memorial progressed. Explore More >

Plaster Study-Sketch of African American Soldier’s Head

Augustus Saint-Gaudens worked for many years to depict African American soldiers in detail as he created the Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. This plaster study-sketch was… Explore More >

Augustus Saint-Gaudens worked for many years to depict African American soldiers in detail as he created the Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. This plaster study-sketch was part of this process. Explore More >

Early Sketch of Floating Angel

An allegorical female figure floats above the soldiers marching to war in the Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. This plaster relief is an… Explore More >

An allegorical female figure floats above the soldiers marching to war in the Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. This plaster relief is an early sketch of the ethereal figure. Explore More >

Bronze Recast of a Soldier’s Head

The Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens was one of the first public memorials to depict African American men as individualized people. This one… Explore More >

The Shaw/54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens was one of the first public memorials to depict African American men as individualized people. This one third life size bronze study of an anonymous African American soldier demonstrates this dignity. Explore More >

Plaster Head of Col. Robert Gould Shaw

This life-size plaster head of Col. Robert Gould Shaw was produced for the Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Explore More >

This life-size plaster head of Col. Robert Gould Shaw was produced for the Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Explore More >

Gallery 3: The Memorial Unveiled

Over thirty years following the Battle of Fort Wagner, people from Boston and beyond gathered to witness the unveiling and dedication of the Memorial on May 31, 1897. Thousands lined the street as veterans of the 54th led a military parade, marching up Beacon Street just as they had done before going off to battle in 1863. The Memorial received much critical acclaim, and models, photographs, and other representations quickly dispersed across the country.

Dedication of the Robert Gould Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial

Veterans of the 54th Regiment at the dedication of the memorial on May 31, 1897. Surviving members of the 54th came to honor their fallen… Explore More >

Veterans of the 54th Regiment at the dedication of the memorial on May 31, 1897. Surviving members of the 54th came to honor their fallen colonel and fellow soldiers during the dedication and unveiling ceremony. Explore More >

Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial at Pan American Exposition (1901)

Developments to the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial did not stop when the memorial was unveiled in Boston in 1897. This image… Explore More >

Developments to the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial did not stop when the memorial was unveiled in Boston in 1897. This image depicts a later version of the sculpture on display at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. Explore More >

Early photograph of the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial

Hamilton Sutton Smith took this photograph of the Robert Gould Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial within approximately the first decade after its dedication (ca. 1897-1910). A trained… Explore More >

Hamilton Sutton Smith took this photograph of the Robert Gould Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial within approximately the first decade after its dedication (ca. 1897-1910). A trained lawyer and dentist, Smith also became a highly regarded photographer. Explore More >

Installation of Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial Recasting

One hundred years after the unveiling of the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial in Boston, the National Park Service installed a new… Explore More >

One hundred years after the unveiling of the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial in Boston, the National Park Service installed a new casting of sculpture at Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (now Historical Park) in Cornish, NH. This national park for the arts preserves the home of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Explore More >

Browse and search the full collection of Making of the Memorial:

Dedication of the Robert Gould Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Early Sketch for the Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial

Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial at Pan American Exposition (1901)

Early photograph of the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial

Proposed layout for added inscription Robert Gould Shaw Memorial

Joshua B. Smith

Installation of Shaw/54th Regiment Memorial Recasting

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