Public Sculpture and the Civic Ideal in New York City, 1890-1930

Bogart’s groundbreaking consideration of public art as a topic for serious scholarly consideration examines the sustained and organized effort to create in New York a body of municipal sculpture that would express the civic ideal: an urban vision of patriotism, civilization, and good government. It follows the brief movement through its rise and fall, attempting to explain why sponsorship for such civic projects lasted only for a limited time. Dozens of carefully selected photographs and drawings illustrate key aspects of the sculptures and architecture discussed.

Delving deeply into the art itself and the political and cultural forces that spurred its creation, Public Sculpture and the Civic Ideal in New York City, 1890-1930 is an invaluable resource for both art historians and serious students of New York City’s history.