Sacrifices of War
Item
Title
Sacrifices of War
Creator
Bashka “Bessie” Paeff
Date
1926
Description
Bashka “Bessie” Paeff, class of 1911, was a sculptor whose work included
realistic animal sculptures, portraits, and war memorials. She was
nicknamed the “Subway Sculptor” for her work in the Park Street MBTA
Station. At 22, Paeff won a commission from the state of Maine to create
a World War I memorial. Her design, “Sacrifices of War,” is a large relief
sculpture depicting a mother protecting her child from the ravages of war.
Newly-elected Maine Governor Ralph Owen Brewster was apprehensive
about the feminist, pacifist message, and tried to derail the effort in
favor of another of her works, “Glories of Peace” (seen here). She
prevailed with the help of the previous governor, and “Sacrifices of War”
was dedicated in 1926. Some of Paeff’s notable works located in Boston
include “Boy with a Bird” in Boston Public Garden and a bronze relief of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Boston University.
realistic animal sculptures, portraits, and war memorials. She was
nicknamed the “Subway Sculptor” for her work in the Park Street MBTA
Station. At 22, Paeff won a commission from the state of Maine to create
a World War I memorial. Her design, “Sacrifices of War,” is a large relief
sculpture depicting a mother protecting her child from the ravages of war.
Newly-elected Maine Governor Ralph Owen Brewster was apprehensive
about the feminist, pacifist message, and tried to derail the effort in
favor of another of her works, “Glories of Peace” (seen here). She
prevailed with the help of the previous governor, and “Sacrifices of War”
was dedicated in 1926. Some of Paeff’s notable works located in Boston
include “Boy with a Bird” in Boston Public Garden and a bronze relief of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Boston University.
Subject
Sculptural Design
