Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Wars of America

Wars of America is a colossal bronze sculpture by Gutzon Borglum and his assistant Luigi Del Bianco, located in Military Park in Newark, New Jersey. It contains forty-two human figures and two horses and stands on a base of granite from Stone Mountain. Erected in 1926, eight years after the end of World War I, the work was intended to honor all of America’s war dead. Borglum described the design as a great spearhead with a Tudor sword at its center, symbolizing the American nation at a crisis answering the call to arms. The sculpture was funded by a $100,000 bequest from Newark businessman Amos Hoagland Van Horn and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1994.

Wars of America bronze sculpture on a stone base in a green park with trees and a flower-lined path.
Wars of America stands on a stone base in a landscaped park setting.
September 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Wars of America monument showing multiple figures and mounted riders atop a stone base in a landscaped park setting.
The Wars of America monument rises above a stone base in Military Park, surrounded by trees and shrubs.
© Tichnor Brothers · Public domain
The Wars of America sculpture stands on a stone base in a park with bare trees and tall buildings behind it.
Wars of America in a Newark park, with the city skyline in the background.
March 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Wars of America bronze sculpture with mounted and foot figures on a dark base
The Wars of America sculpture shows multiple bronze figures in dynamic poses atop a textured base.
April 2008 © · Public domain
Wars of America sculptural model with warriors and horses advancing across textured terrain.
A detailed model for Wars of America showing warriors and horses in a dramatic, forward-moving composition.
June 1919 © Gutzon Borglum (sculpture); Keystone View Company (photograph) · Public domain

Identification

TitleWars of America
Original titleGuerras de América
TypeColossal bronze sculpture

Historical context

Erection date1926
Erection contextEight years after the end of World War I
Intended dedicationOriginally intended to honor those who died in World War I, but later expanded to honor all Americans who died in war

Creator

DesignerGutzon Borglum
Assistant designerLuigi Del Bianco

Discovery and provenance

Related funded workBorglum's Seated Lincoln, also in Newark
FundingA $100,000 bequest from Newark businessman Amos Hoagland Van Horn

Physical characteristics

CompositionForty-two human figures and two horses

Materials

MaterialBronze
Base materialStone Mountain granite

Appearance

Design descriptionBorglum described the design as a great spearhead with a Tudor sword placed over the green field of the spearhead

Iconography and meaning

SymbolismThe sword hilt represents the American nation in crisis, responding to the call to arms

Location and ownership

LocationMilitary Park, Newark, New Jersey, United States
LocationNewark, New Jersey, United States

History and restoration

National Register of Historic Places listing dateOctober 28, 1994

Significance

Heritage statusAdded to the National Register of Historic Places