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Secondary sourceSculpture1886

Statue of James A. Garfield

Charles Henry Niehaus · 1886

A marble statue of President Garfield, created by Charles Henry Niehaus and displayed in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection.

This statue commemorates Garfield's legacy, standing as a tribute from his home state, Ohio.

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White marble statue of James A. Garfield in a long coat and trousers, standing with one hand in a pocket and the other resting on a pedestal with a draped cloth. The base is inscribed GARFIELD and OHIO. Stone walls and a gold-framed painting are behind it.
Charles Henry Niehaus, Statue of James A. Garfield, 1886. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

About this source

What it is

This marble statue depicts James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. It was created by sculptor Charles Henry Niehaus and gifted by the state of Ohio in 1886. The statue stands in the United States Capitol's rotunda as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection.

Why it matters

This statue commemorates Garfield's legacy and contributions as a leader. It reflects how important figures were honored posthumously, often chosen by their home states to represent their achievements and history.

Look closer

  • What does the choice of material (marble) suggest about how Garfield was remembered?
  • Why might Ohio choose to commemorate Garfield with a statue in the Capitol?
  • What does the pose and attire of the statue tell us about the formalities of such memorials?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James A. Garfield on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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