Gettysburg Sculptures
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Gettysburg Sculptures
United States
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The Sculptor of the "Friend to Friend" Masonic Memorial was Ron Tunison.
Tunison would be contacted in 1992 by Mr. Sheldon Munn and the late Dr. John Schwartz to sculpt the Friend to Friend memorial. The entire project from first contact with the sculptor to dedcation would be only 13 months.
This would be Tunison's second of four monuments dedicated at Gettysburg.
(hover over the lower right corner of photo and a magnifying glass icon will appear. Click on the icon to enlarge the photo)
Credit photos of the sculptor and the clay in process to:
Ron Tunison P.O. Box 141 Cairo, N.Y. 12413
A close-up view of sculptor Ron Tunison working on the clay portion of Captain Bingham (c1993). Compare the size of the clay model to Tunison. The Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial is one of the largest bronze monuments on the battlefield (Bingham is over 8' in height). The true size and detail of this memorial can only be enjoyed by walking around it. Also, the observer can stand on the knoll surrounding the memorial for a very unique overhead view .
Pictured above is the full view of the clay of Bingham. Note the maquette placed on the small table next to the sculptor. Tunison and his desire for historical accuracy, has several photographs of Bingham for reference laying nearby. These may be seen to the left of the above photograph. 
A close up view of the 2 foot maquette used by the sculptor to help in maintaining the scale of the clay model. 
The sculptor signs the finished clay, and when the bronze is cast, the signature will be present in the finished bronze memorial.Also note the "T "over "X" for the Tallix foundry located in New York that cast the bronze statues.
One very unique feature of the Friend to Friend Memorial are the differnt colored uniforms. The "cloth" portions of Bingham and Armistead's uniforms are colored blue and gray. After a bronze statue is cast, skilled metalworkers using patina solutions and a heat source can enhance the appearance of the bronze statue. These solutions are often brushed or sprayed on a warmed bronze. In the case of the Friend to Friend Memorial these patinas have added the colors we see today. 
The clay of General Armistead (C1993). Due to the size of the clay, the platform is positioned on casters to allow for easy movement. The clay sculpture actually begins when the sculptor constructs an metal armature or frame. This armature is then covered with styrofoam and finally with sculpting clay. A portion of the armature and styrofoam may be seen in Armistead's missing right arm.
An autographed photo from Tunison to my daughter Kristen, sent to her in 1994. For more information in regards to Ron Tunison and to view more of his sculptures visit his website at:
Gettysburg Sculptures
United States