Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch (1889–92) in Brooklyn, New York is a triumphal arch dedicated "To the Defenders of the Union, 1861-1865". The eastern end with a stairway to the observation deck and crowning sculpture is open to the public, while the remainder of the interior is sometimes opened for art shows and performances.

History
An August 6, 1889, William R. Ware and Charles B. Atwood, who had been appointed by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Commission,selected John H. Duncan's design for the arch from 36 designs submitted the previous year. In collaboration with architect Stanford White, Samuel Parsons and Calvert Vaux produced the arch beginning with two and a half months of site preparation; then William Tecumseh Sherman was the speaker at the 1889 cornerstone, and President Grover Cleveland lead the 1892 unveiling.

The McKim, Mead and White firm recommended the bronze statues for the City Beautiful movement, and park Commissioner Frank Squire engaged Frederick MacMonnies 1894 to design the three bronze sculptural groupings. The interior arch faces have equestrian bas-reliefs of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant sculpted by William Rudolf O'Donovan (men) and Thomas Eakins (horses), that were added in 1895. Also added in 1895 by sculptor Frederick MacMonnies are the Army and Navy sculptures and the allegorical crowning sculpture. This sculpture depicts the winged goddess of victory, following victorious combat (the Civil War) with instruments of war: sword, colors, flagstaff, and quadriga (the Union Army). Winged attendants are seen removing 2 of the 4 quadriga horses for peacetime use (postbellum recovery) while trumpeting the victory and freedom (Emancipation).

The arch was designated a landmark in 1973, and the crowning sculpture was restored after the chariot's figure fell out in 1976.