What would Michelangelo’s compatriots have felt when he presented the David to the people of Florence, Italy?
I believe that I have an inkling into their psyche at that time, because I just had a similar experience of witnessing greatness presented to the people of the United States of America. Sculptor Sabin Howard created this 60-foot long, 10-foot high, 38 figure, 25-ton, bronze sculpture for the people. It is located 150 yards from the White House in Washington DC, USA.
The David is to Michelangelo…
as “A Soldier’s Journey” is to Sabin Howard.
Presented by the U. S. World War I Centennial Commission and The Doughboy Foundation.
World War I started July 28, 1914 and ended November 11, 1918.
The first illumination ceremony was September 18, 2024 at the site of the WWI memorial in Washington DC, USA. This is the only WWI memorial in our nation’s capital. It is 106 years after the end of the war, but better late than never.
Sabin Howard presented the sculpture and narrated his thoughts and feelings of what this World War I memorial means to him and to the people of the United States of America. Sabin took the meaning of this work of art to a whole other level with this presentation.
Follow this link to the 1 hour and 30 minute presentation. I suggest fast forwarding to the 15-minute mark to skip the preamble, and then Sabin’s presentation is about 45 minutes in duration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75-d3sOGCRI
I cannot do the presentation justice in this short synopsis, but I will give you a teaser of it.
There were millions of casualties.
Many returned shell-shocked!
Here the war is over and they are coming home.
Church bells ring out all over the world!
“A Soldier’s Journey” in the daytime.
Here is a two-minute video I took of the finished product.
I continue to be inspired by Sabin Howard as I have been at each step along his 9 ½-year journey to create this sculptural masterpiece.
I first met Sabin in 2015. He was teaching a webinar class on the anatomy of the human head for artists. I was enthralled with his acumen then and still am. He and the landscape architect had just been selected to the list of five finalists for this commission. There were 360 entries into this worldwide competition. Obviously Sabin won the commission. I continued to take classes from Sabin until he had to quit teaching and focus on the memorial sculpture. During these classes he would share bits about the commission. I believe that I was one of the more interactive students in his class, and out of this grew a relationship that continues to this day.
Sabin and me in his studio in September, 2023. He let me pretend to be sculpting. Trust me; I did not touch the clay.
I got to touch the sculpture at Pangolin Editions foundry in the United Kingdom.
The sculpting and casting process took 4 ½ years, for a total of a 9 ½ years project duration.
If Michelangelo is looking down at Sabin Howard and his masterpiece, I think he is pleased.
I am so in awe of this masterpiece and can’t even imagine what your emotions were witnessing this unveiling. So happy for you that you were able to be apart of this amazing project.
Pat
Thank you. It was wonderful. I am still a bit wound up about it.
Charlotte, thank you for this awe-inspiring depiction of the piece, its initial conception and illumination. What a fabulous experience! I look forward to seeing it in person some day. Congratulations to you o for developing this relationship with Mr. Howard as you developed your own artistry. Brava!
It was wonderful to witness. Sabin is an inspiration.
What a wonderful journey, and it’s so exciting that you got to participate! Thank you for sharing with us.
Fascinating! We will be taking a trip to DC someday soon to see the sculpture I Peterson.
Great reporting.
I am glad you liked the info. It is even better in person.
In person, not I Peterson!
Incredible piece of artwork, looking forward to seeing it in person one day!
It is so much better in person.
Superb! Makes one feel like a Greek, looking at a frieze on a temple.
Early on in the design process, Sabin said that he wanted to bring the Greek and Roman frieze down to a human level.
He accomplished it.
Hi Charlotte,
What a fantastic piece of art. I can’t wait to see it in Washington. Dana and I really enjoy walking around the monuments and to see this one knowing that you played a part is so cool. I hope all is well with all the family in CO. and Oregon. I am in Rome right now helping with my grandchildren.
Bigs hugs to you!
Steve
You will love seeing it in person. It rival works you see by the great artists in Italy.
My only part in this is being a super fan of Sabin Howard.
Charlotte, we are so proud of you and where your journey has led you. The memorial is, of course, fantastic and a much needed WWI honoring of those who fought and sacrificed. Just look at where this journey has taken you! Amazing life experience! Love you!
Thank you so much. The journey has been wonderful.