Rosa Louise McCauley Parks Sculpture
- tourdeforcedc
- Apr 17
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Rotunda, US Capitol, 2013, Artist Eugene Daub. Daub and Firmin Studios, LLC
Visual Description
Nine feet high. A relief sculpture depicts Rosa Parks sitting, the position she assumed while sitting at the front of a bus in Montgomery AL on December 1, 1955, in an act of civil disobedience challenging racial segregation in public transit. Her pose follows that in a famous photograph taken of her seated on the bus, The Capitol website entry notes, “Based on photographic research into what she was wearing the day on the bus, she is shown wearing a round brimless hat, glasses, a cloth coat over her dress, laced shoes and she holds the handle of her purse.” Inscribed are the words, “"Rosa Parks/1913–2005."
Historical Background
First full-length statue of an Black person installed in the U.S. Capitol.
Interpretive notes
The work reproduces the iconic image of Rosa Parks, while seated in a front seat of the bus in Montgomery, refusing an order to relocate to the rear of the bus. Although Park was a dedicated civil rights organizer she is not shown in a speaking stance, but rather in a seated position, engaging in non violent passive resistance.
Prompts for Close Looking
What qualities of Ms. Parks are conveyed through this sculpture?
Most statues in the Hall are depicted standing. Why is Ms. Parks depicted as sitting?
Ani, I do like your idea of foregrounding double consciousness in your discussion of the Rosa Parks statue in the US Capitol. On the hand she is including in the pantheon of the national heroes, yet on the other hand the work commemorates a history of exclusion. The fact that she is sitting and not taking a conventional stand of mastery is itself telling and as you note implies a different kind of relationship to power than is conventionally seen in public sculptors of heroic leaders. In that sense this really can be seen as a monument to "twoness" in DuBois' sense.
The Rosa Louise McCauley Parks sculpture by Artist Lane, is a powerful symbol that claims space usually held for white public figures. The craftsmanship of this sculpture is captivating, as her calm seated presence demonstrates resistance. The use of symbolism relates to race and power, showing us that civil disobedience does not need to be loud or bold; even a quiet presence can speak volumes.
The placement of this artwork is very important to recognize. This is because the US Capitol holds a lot of value in regard to history and racial exclusion. When viewers see the Parks statue, it allows them to understand how powerful it is, as this same building once upheld values and laws such as the…