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Monumento Nacional de Costa Rica

Monumento Nacional de Costa Rica is a work by French sculptor Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse, located in Parque Nacional in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Cast in bronze on a pedestal, it is regarded as the country’s most important sculpture. The monument represents the triumph of Central American nations over the filibuster troops led by William Walker during the National Campaign of Costa Rica (1856–1857), an event linked to the formation of Costa Rican national identity. The composition includes five female figures carrying weapons and expelling two male figures. The sculpture was completed in Paris in 1891 and later inaugurated by President Rafael Yglesias Castro.

National Monument of Costa Rica with bronze figures in an action scene atop a stone pedestal
The National Monument of Costa Rica is shown against a cloudy sky, with figures posed in a dramatic scene above the pedestal.
© · Public domain
The National Monument of Costa Rica shows a dramatic bronze battle scene with a central female figure raising a broken spear above fallen figures.
The National Monument of Costa Rica depicts a dramatic battle scene with a triumphant female figure at the center.
January 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bronze figures on the National Monument of Costa Rica against a blue sky, with one figure holding a sword and another pointing.
Detail of the National Monument of Costa Rica showing bronze figures in a dramatic scene of action and struggle.
1891 © · Public domain
The National Monument of Costa Rica stands on a tiered base, surrounded by a large crowd and flags during a public ceremony.
The National Monument of Costa Rica during a crowded ceremonial gathering.
September 1895 © · Public domain
Detail of the National Monument of Costa Rica showing a bronze figure of William Walker lunging forward with a rifle.
A detail of the National Monument of Costa Rica depicting William Walker in a dramatic forward lunge.
September 1995 © · CC0

Identification

TitleMonumento Nacional de Costa Rica
Typenational monument; sculptural ensemble

Creator

ArtistLouis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse
Artist nationalityFrench

Discovery and provenance

Created1891
Created inParis
Installed1895
Unveiled on15 September 1895
Unveiled byPresident Rafael Yglesias Castro
Scale modelsSeveral scale models were made and given to the five Central American presidents of the time and other notable people
Replica locationA replica of the model given to the Marqués de Peralta is exhibited at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Location and ownership

Nearby landmarkThe National Library of Costa Rica is immediately northwest of the monument
LocationParque Nacional, San José, Costa Rica

Materials

Materialbronze
Base materialstone

Physical characteristics

Supporton a pedestal
Main structurebronze sculptural group on a stone pedestal
Pedestal reliefsFour bronze bas-reliefs on the pedestal
CompositionFive female figures and two male figures

Iconography and meaning

Historical themeThe victory of the Central American nations over the filibuster invaders
National significanceRepresents the defense of Costa Rica's independence and sovereignty during the National Campaign of 1856–1857
PurposeCommemorates the National Campaign of 1856–1857
Pedestal relief subjectsThe Battle of Santa Rosa; the Second Battle of Rivas, including the death of Juan Santamaría on 11 April 1856; the capture of the Río San Juan; and the leaders of the National Campaign under Juan Rafael Mora
Associated enemy leaderWilliam Walker, an American who tried to conquer Central America between 1855 and 1857
Historical referenceThe National Campaign of Costa Rica (1856–1857), led by Juan Rafael Mora Porras
Central female figureRepresents Costa Rica and liberty; wears a Phrygian cap and carries the Costa Rican flag
Male figuresOne figure represents William Walker fleeing; the other represents soldiers killed in the conflict
Honduras figureFemale figure carrying a bow and arrow
Guatemala figureFemale figure carrying an axe
El Salvador figureFemale figure carrying a sword
Nicaragua figureFemale figure with a broken sword, representing Nicaragua
Depicted figuresFive female figures representing the five Central American republics and two male figures

Significance

Artistic significanceConsidered the most important sculpture in Costa Rica
Historical significanceThe National Campaign of 1856–1857 is regarded as decisive in the formation of Costa Rican national identity

History and restoration

RestorationRestored in 2001 after oxidation and corrosion had turned it greenish
Restoration durationFive months
Restoration cost20 million colones
Reinauguration date1 March 2002
Reinauguration attendeesPresident Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría and Minister of Culture Enrique Granados Moreno presided over the ceremony
Inauguration attendeesVeterans of the war attended the inauguration in historical uniforms