Nathan Hale

Frederick MacMonnies, Nathan Hale, 1890, bronze, 28 149 346 14 in. (71.924.715.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the American Art Forum in honor of George Gurney, Curator Emeritus, 2012.5
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Nathan Hale
Date
1890
Dimensions
28 149 346 14 in. (71.924.715.8 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the American Art Forum in honor of George Gurney, Curator Emeritus
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Hale, Nathan — full length
  • History — United States — Revolution
  • Occupation — military — soldier
Object Number
2012.5

Artwork Description

Nathan Hale (17551776), a teacher from Connecticut, fought for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The British hanged the twenty-one-year-old soldier as a spy after he had infiltrated their lines in New York. Just before his death, Hale allegedly uttered the now famous words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Frederick MacMonnies portrayed Hale as a young American martyr. He stands with his shoulders thrust back and his head lifted slightly, even though his feet and arms are bound with rope. The sculpture’s rough surface and lack of finish originally drew criticism but reflected MacMonnies's formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His original nine-foot-high bronze sculpture of Hale was erected at City Hall Park in New York in 1893, where it stands today. This smaller sculpture is one of several models that MacMonnies produced.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Joseph Norman, Slum Fantasy No. 7, 1990, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1991.186.3, © 1990, Joseph Norman
Slum Fantasy No. 7
Date1990
pencil on paper
Not on view
Joseph Norman, Ghetto Flowers No. 2, n.d., lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1991.186.2, © 1990, Joseph Norman
Ghetto Flowers No. 2
Daten.d.
lithograph
Not on view
Joseph Norman, Notorious #1, 1990, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1991.186.1, © 1990, Joseph Norman
Notorious #1
Date1990
lithograph
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Edward Sachse, Smithsonian Institute, ca. 1855, hand-colored lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Al Marzorini in honor of Harry Lowe, 2019.23
Smithsonian Institute
Dateca. 1855
hand-colored lithograph
Not on view
Marching As to War
Daten.d.
color etching
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James Otto Lewis, A Sioux Chief, from The Aboriginal Portfolio, 1835, hand-colored lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of H. Lyman Sayen to his nation, 1973.167.67
A Sioux Chief, from The Aboriginal Portfolio
Date1835
hand-colored lithograph on paper
Not on view
James Otto Lewis, WAA-KAUN-SEE-KAA or the Rattle Snake; A Winnebago Chief, from The Aboriginal Portfolio, 1835, hand-colored lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of H. Lyman Sayen to his nation, 1973.167.51
WAA-KAUN-SEE-KAA or the Rattle Snake; A Winnebago Chief,…
Date1835
hand-colored lithograph on paper
Not on view