|
|
Historical Sculpture by Avard T. FairbanksThe Fairbanks family has sculptures or molds for these specific pieces, and we welcome inquiries about availability. |
|
 |
The Enduring Lincoln
A colossal portrait in Carrara marble, carved in a Tuscan village, was originally commissioned and purchased by a company in Illinois. Abraham Lincoln was an eloquent speaker, humanitarian, friend to many, and a husband and father. The sculptor chose to portray the President in contemplation, in a moment of reflection. This portrait shows him externally calm, seeking a solution to many of the momentous problems of the times. The working model, from which the marble carving was designed, is now cast and available in bronze. |
 |
Lincoln bust modeled on Ed Sullivan show
Sculpted live on television, this special portrait of Lincoln is called the "Ed Sullivan Lincoln." A special program was dedicated to Abraham Lincoln in February of 1963, and Dr. Fairbanks, known for his ability to sculpt and lecture at the same time, was invited to create the bust in the one hour time slot. From scratch, a wood stick frame and bricks of clay, to finish, Abraham Lincoln came alive on national TV. Hal Holbrook and Jack Bittner also appeared on the same episode, re-enacting the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. This 1-1/4 life size "Lincoln" is now available in bronze. |
 |
Lincoln the Frontiersman
The quarter life model was carefully modeled in three dimensional reduction by his son. The photo shown is the original. Katherine Burke, a school teacher in Oahu, Hawaii, left her life savings to create a statue honoring Abraham Lincoln. The statue was to be her gift to the school. Avard Fairbanks was contacted at the University of Michigan. As he had often desired to model Abraham Lincoln, he accepted the challenge. While chopping wood and grieving at the recent loss of his own father, Avard was inspired to portray a young Lincoln as a frontiersman. He felt this was appropriate for Hawaii, which had itself become the frontier of the nation at that time. The heroic statue was created and cast in bronze, but its dedication was delayed by World War II. |
 |
The Smoke Signal
The Smoke Signal portrays an Indian sentinel releasing a puff of smoke, conveying a message seen over a long distance. This simple telegraphy was an ingenious means of communication between Native American scouts and communities. Early fur traders were quite impressed, and pioneer wagon trains became familiar with these occurrences. At night, signal fires replaced the smoke signals. Later, when mirrors were introduced and became available from fur traders, they often replaced smoke signals as another form of distant communication. |
 |
Legend of Nokomis and Hiawatha
The legend is a study of an elder teaching a youth about time-honored traditions. It was inspired by the Song of Hiawatha and modeled in Avard's early years. |
 |
Tragedy at Winter Quarters
A companion piece to New Frontiers, A Tragedy at Winter Quarters is one of the most moving works of Avard Fairbanks. The monument stands near Omaha, Nebraska, at the Pioneer Mormon Cemetery. This work depicts a pioneer father and mother standing over the open grave of their child. Roughly 6000 Latter-Day Saints lost their lives while crossing the plains between 1846 and 1849. Three of the ancestors of Avard Fairbanks were buried at this cemetery. This monument stands as a memorial to those who experienced the tragedy at winter quarters. |
 |
Dr. Marcus Whitman
The working model has been cast in bronze. The photo shown is the original located in DC. Inspired to bring both Christian teaching and health care to the native Americans in the far west, Marcus Whitman studied medicine and theology. He was called as a medical missionary to the Oregon Territory, and was the first practicing physician in the Pacific Northwest. He established a mission at Wailatpu, the place of wild range grass near present day Walla Walla, Washington. Unfortunately, he and several others died in a massacre during a severe measles epidemic among the Indians. The massacre resulted from the many fatalities among the Indians due to their lack of immunity and understanding of the disease. Commissioned by the State of Washington, Fairbanks created an heroic statue that was placed in Statuary Hall, Washington DC. Other copies are located in Olympia and Walla Walla, Washington. |