Name/Title
The Four FreedomsContext
Hammered green bronze, hammered golden bronze, stainless steel, magnesium ornaments, and colored gold on concrete base (patio).
With different symbols signifying the 4 freedoms. The Smithsonian's summary of the object (Virginia A. Palmer, 1989?) says:
"An abstract sculpture. Each metal represents a different kind of freedom. Freedom from Want (green bronze) includes ornaments of the sun, half hidden by a rain cloud, the germinating seed, sheaf of grain, open book, flash of energy and five loaves and two fishes. Freedom of Religion (of stainless steel) consists of basic symbols of the six major religions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Confucianism). Freedom of Expression (in gold bronze) is ornamented with a flying unicorn, a pajama-clad child with a book riding a flying carpet, a ship at sea, a tree, and a flame of light. Freedom from Fear (cast magnesium) includes a brutalized figure of a man, armed with a club and rock emerging from an atomic explosion mushroom cloud. Also depicted is a broken heart, finger of scorn, the prying eye, the lying tongue, fist and shackle, a listening ear and skull of death."Collection
Artwork Collection, Wisconsin Art Collection, Atkinson Library CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1961.8Source or Donor
Dick WikenAcquisition Method
PurchaseMade/Created
Manufacturer
Gerhard DegnerDate made
1961Notes
Fabricated in Mr. Degner's shop, April 1961.
According to the attached SOS! survey entry, the idea for the sculpture came from City Librarian Richard E. Krug.