Abraham Lincoln (seated) Sculpture - "Man Of Sorrow"
Submitted by
Governor Kathleen SebeliusCategory
MonumentDescription
This sculpture of Abraham Lincoln was designed and constructed by Robert Merrell Gage, a native Kansan. It is a bronze statue on a four-foot high granite base in the southeast quadrant of the State Capitol grounds in downtown Topeka. Gage based his work on numerous photographs and sketches depicting Lincoln. The six-foot tall statue contains approximately 2045 pounds of bronze. The statue cost $3,000, the price of materials only. This was Gage's first public commission and he contributed his time as part of a civic project in his hometown of Topeka, Kansas. The statue was dedicated Feb. 12, 1918, while Gage was serving in the medical corps during World War I. Governor Arthur Capper accepted the statue on behalf of the state.History
The twenty-two year old Gage had just returned to Topeka from New York City after serving a two-year apprenticeship with Gutzon Borglum, best known as the sculptor of the presidents’ heads at Mount Rushmore. In 1916, several Topeka women conceived the idea of a Lincoln statue and chose Gage as the sculptor. Several women’s groups in Topeka organized the fund raising effort among various civic organizations and individuals. They even organized a campaign among Topeka school children that also included teaching the students about Lincoln. These efforts raised half of the money and the other $1,500 was provided by the State of Kansas during the 1917 legislative session. Gage continued his artwork and also taught, for a time, at Washburn University in Topeka and the Kansas City Art Institute. In 1924, he moved to California where he continued to sculpt and teach. He did several other sculptures of Lincoln as well as a number of other public works.(Pamphlets and newspapers, State Archives and Library, Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka.)
Location
Southeast quadrantState Capitol grounds
Topeka, Shawnee County
