Why a web site for Henry Merwin Shrady?
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| On March 27, 2003 after having worked in DC for 10 years, I decided it was time to finally take a guided tour. The occasion, of course, was out of town guests -- my father and niece visiting from Montana . We boarded the 'Old Town Trolley' at Union Station and thoroughly enjoyed the several hours it took to transit the route. We heard many interesting anecdotes -- some true -- told enthusiastically by our various drivers. None captured my fancy like the claim made about the sculptor responsible for the Ulysses S. Grant memorial: "He literally put his life into it." The story (true indeed) goes that Shrady worked 20 years on this massive masterpiece and, with it 99% complete, died 15 days before it was dedicated on April 27, 1922. The infantry group was finished by others and installed in 1924. |
Shrady as the fallen soldier in the cavalry group
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Our 'drive by' that day provided a nice view but with so much else to see we didn't take the time for more. Later, reflecting on what most impressed me about the day, I searched the internet for pictures that might bear witness to the incredible attention to detail I had heard Shrady credited with. The few dozen shots I found left me dissatisfied. I wanted a tour around the entire site, not just shots taken at the distance necessary to capture the entire memorial. A whimsical notion embedded itself into my consciousness -- 'I'd like to create that site.'
Over two years later (April 16, 2005), again with an out of town guest, I finally found myself in the vicinity of the Grant memorial on a beautiful day with plenty of time to spare. Oh yeah, and with a shiny new Sony Cyber-shot T33 5.3 megapixel digital camera. Finally my whimsy began to take shape. As I've seen, read, and reflected more about this work I've come away with a conviction that this man deserves a tribute. His greatest work is perhaps the most undeservedly under-appreciated in the city. His talent, skill and attention to detail are impressive. But, the truth behind the words of his wife, "[His] whole soul is in his work", is what pulls me in.
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Henry Merwin Shrady (1871 - 1922)
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If, like me, the few nibbles you've gotten elsewhere leave you hungry, then this site is for you. The full tour of over 100 pictures leaves little left unseen. If you're handicapped by distance (not all of us can drive by every work-day), timidity (by my 10th visit, I finally noticed the disapproving eyes of the Capitol police) or insufficiently dexterous, you can still see it all here. Enjoy!
M.S. April 2005 |
