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
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • History — United States — Revolution
  • Portrait male — Hale, Nathan — full length
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 (132 items)

Man Ray, Fisherman's Idol, cast 1973, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.7
Fisherman’s Idol
Artist
Datecast 1973
bronze
On view
Man Ray, Its Another Spring, 1961, mixed media: metal spring, ivory ball, and wooden cigar box, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.6
Its Another Spring
Artist
Date1961
mixed media: metal spring, ivory ball, and wooden cigar box
On view
Man Ray, Le Voyeur, 1965, wooden cigar box with inserted door lens, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.4
Le Voyeur
Artist
Date1965
wooden cigar box with inserted door lens
On view
Man Ray, Square Dumb Bells, 1944 or 1945, cast bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1983.105.17A-B
Square Dumb Bells
Artist
Date1944 or 1945
cast bronze
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Man Ray, Électricité, 1931, photogravure, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1976.84.2
Électricité
Artist
Date1931
photogravure
Not on view
Man Ray, La Maison, 1931, photogravure, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1976.84.7
La Maison
Artist
Date1931
photogravure
Not on view
Peter Miller, Sandwaves, 1992, photogravure, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1997.3, © 1992, Peter Miller
Sandwaves
Date1992
photogravure
Not on view