St. Dominic, (sculpture)

Object Details

Notes: Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.; Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 332.
Summary: Full-length standing portrait of St. Dominic dressed in habit of the order, holding the Evangelium J.C., clasped to his breast with his proper left hand; his proper right arm extending in the act of preaching the Gospel. At his feet, is a small dog whose proper right paw rests on a sphere representing the world. The dog carries a torch in its mouth. On the front face of the pedestal is the Dominican motto "Veritas," inscribed above a shield emblazoned with martyr's crown and Gothic cross. The beads carved on each side of the shield indicate the rosary. Below the shield is a lily symbolic of his purity, a martyr's palm indicating his fervent desire for martyrdom, and a star referring to the one which is said to have appeared on his forehead at baptism. On the east face of the pedestal is a rosary entwined with roses, possibly symbolizing the Joyful Mysteries of Christ. On the south face the Sorrowful Mysteries are represented by a rosary wrapped in a bed of thorns. On the west face a rosary intertwined with lilies symbolizes the Glorious Mysteries.

Owner/Location: Dominican House of Studies 487 Michigan Avenue, N.E Washington District of Columbia

Topic: Religion--Saint--St. Dominic; Object--Written Matter; Animal--Dog; Object--Other--Torch; Object--Flower--Lily; Object--Flower--Rose; Object--Foliage--Thorns; Dress--Accessory--Shield