How Big Is The Statue Of The Spirit Of Detroit?
The Spirit of Detroit statue is one of Detroit’s most beloved landmarks and symbols. Unveiled in 1958, the large bronze statue depicts a seated figure holding a gilt bronze sphere representing the spirit of humanity.
Created by renowned Swedish sculptor Marshall Fredericks, the statue is located outside of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, home to the city government
in downtown Detroit. While the statue was originally named “The Spirit of Detroit” by Fredericks, it’s commonly just referred to as “The Spirit of Detroit” today.
Location
The Spirit of Detroit statue is located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It sits in front of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Woodward Avenue, between Jefferson and Larned streets (Source: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/spirit-of-detroit). The statue faces Woodward Avenue, with the municipal building behind it. The location in front of city hall makes it a recognizable landmark in Detroit’s civic center and reinforces its symbolism as representing the spirit of the city.
Description
The Spirit of Detroit is a large bronze statue that depicts a seated figure holding a gilt bronze sphere in its left hand and a family is depicted on the sphere. The right hand of the figure is raised, symbolizing peace. The 26-foot tall bronze monument was created by renowned Swedish-American sculptor Marshall Fredericks and placed on a marble base in 1958. It is the largest cast bronze statue since the Renaissance era and required tons of plaster, plywood, and rubber for the casting process.
The statue features a muscular figure with broad shoulders sitting with arms and legs spread apart. The figure’s head is large and noble-looking, and its tight clothing reveals an athletic build. The family depicted on the sphere consists of a man holding an airplane, a woman cradling a baby, and a small child sitting down and playing with a toy car, representing various facets of family life. The details and textures, like the hair, muscles and folds of clothing, showcase the mastery of the sculptor.
Over the decades exposure to the elements had deteriorated the statue and deposits of calcium and magnesium obscured some of the details. But a restoration project in 2005-2006 refurbished it to its original golden sheen.
Meaning
The Spirit of Detroit statue symbolizes the spirit of survival and rebirth of the city of Detroit. According to the Detroit Historical Society, the figure is said to represent the people of Detroit. The man’s right arm is outstretched to symbolize welcome, while his left arm carries family, representing humanity and the city. The golden sphere in his left hand represents God.
The 26-foot marble and bronze statue has deeper meaning for the people of Detroit. Unveiled in 1958, it represents Detroit’s resilience and strength of character. The statue gave hope to the city during tough times and reminds the community that working together, they can persevere and thrive.
Size
The Spirit of Detroit is an enormously large statue. According to the Detroit Historical Society, it stands 26 feet tall and weighs over 16,000 pounds.1 The statue depicts a man seated on a throne holding in his arms the symbols of God, family and civilization. It was originally intended to be 22 feet tall, but Fredericks decided to make it larger to give it more commanding presence. At the time of its unveiling in 1958, the Spirit of Detroit was considered the largest cast bronze statue since the Renaissance era.2
Designer
The Spirit of Detroit statue was created by renowned American sculptor Marshall Fredericks. Fredericks was commissioned in 1955 by the Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority to design a monument to symbolize Detroit’s resilience and hope for the future. According to the Detroit Historical Society, Fredericks was inspired by a verse from Second Corinthians that speaks of the “Spirit of man.” The 20-foot bronze statue took Fredericks about a year to design and sculpt before it was finally installed outside city hall in downtown Detroit in 1958.
Materials
The Spirit of Detroit statue is made of bronze, a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper and tin. According to the Public Art Archive, the statue weighs 10 tons and stands 26 feet tall. It is made of cast bronze that was fabricated in Mexico at the Fundicion Artistica foundry.
The bronze used to create the sculpture was specially formulated to have an antique green patina finish. This greenish color helps protect the metal from corrosion and gives it a distinctive aged aesthetic. Over time, the patina finish acquires its own character as the metal interacts with the environment.
Marshall Fredericks chose bronze to construct The Spirit of Detroit due to its durability and weather-resistance. As an alloy, bronze does not rust and stands up well to the cold winters and variable climate of Detroit. This ensures the sculpture retains its structural integrity and artistic detail for many years.
Restorations
The Spirit of Detroit statue has undergone multiple restorations since its completion in 1958. In 1998, it received repairs for cracks and holes that had developed over the previous 40 years. In 2004, a complete restoration project began, which included repairs, cleaning, waxing and polishing. The restoration aimed to return the statue to its original bronze color.[1]
For the sculpture’s 50th anniversary in 2008, a more extensive restoration project was undertaken. This $360,000 project was funded by foundations and private donations. It involved repairs to the bronze, reinforcements to the internal support structure, and regilding of the bronze seams and letters on the granite base. The restoration team aimed to preserve the statue for at least 100 more years.[1]
Significance
The Spirit of Detroit statue is a beloved cultural symbol representing the spirit, resilience, and pride of the city. Since its unveiling in 1958, it has become one of Detroit’s most iconic and recognizable landmarks.
According to The Spirit of Detroit from the Detroit Historical Society, “The Spirit of Detroit has become the defacto logo for the City of Detroit” (https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/spirit-detroit).
The statue is meant to symbolize Detroit’s recovery following the Great Depression. As described on Detroit Historical, it depicts “a masculine figure seated holding in his arms the smaller figures of a man, woman, and child, representing family unity. The man’s head is bowed in apparent meditation” (https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/spirit-of-detroit).
This representation of resilience, rebirth, and community has made the statue a gathering point for locals and visitors alike to reflect on Detroit’s storied past and hopeful future.
Conclusion
The Spirit of Detroit is an iconic statue that has become a beloved symbol of the city. Standing 25 feet tall outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, this large bronze sculpture depicts a seated figure holding a gilt bronze sphere representing God in its right hand and a family in its left. Unveiled in 1958, the Spirit of Detroit was created by artist Marshall Fredericks to represent the soul of Detroit – a hardworking, resilient, and spiritual people. Over the decades, it has been restored and maintained to preserve its gleaming finish. More than just a statue, the Spirit of Detroit has become a monument to the spirit and heart of Detroit and its people.
In summary, the Spirit of Detroit has towered over the city for over 60 years as a symbolic guardian and inspiration. This impressive 25-foot sculpture continues to represent the soul of Detroit and serve as a popular landmark for residents and visitors alike.
