Gettysburg Sculptures

The history of Swiss born Jakob Otto Schweizer is well documented. He would be trained in Europe under the direction of some of the worlds most famous instructors and move to the United States in 1894. Schweizer would become one of the most talented sculptors in America documenting in bronze many events of American History. With his studio located in Philadelphia, Schweizer would have access to many of these historical sites. Several of these historical works include a very detailed statue of Major General Friedrich Wilhelm Baron Von Steuben at Valley Forge Pennsylvania as well as the Molly Pitcher statue and bas reliefs at Carlisle Pennsylvania.

However at Gettysburg, Schweizer has the honor of having created seven bronze portrait statues, more than any other sculptor with works on the field. His works include:

Abraham Lincoln (Pennsylvania State Memorial c1913)

General David McM. Gregg (Pennsylvania State Memorial c1913) 

 General Alfred Pleasonton (Pennsylvania State Memorial c1913) 

General Alexander Hayes (Ziegler's Grove c.1914)

General John Geary (Culps Hill c1914)

General Andrew A. Humphreys (Emmitsburg Road north end of Sickles Ave.  c1914)

General William Wells (South Confederate Ave. c1913)

It is unlikely another sculptor will surpass this remarkable achievement.

The clay model created by Schweizer is shown above. 

The final bronze casting standing over 8 feet in height was cast by the Van Amringe Co. of Boston Mass.

Schweizer several years before his death in 1955.Autograph Of J. Otto Schweizer c 1953 
Schweizer's name originally incised by him in the clay model, can now be seen on the eastern side of the base of the Humphreys statue.