Brad Clattenburg
ARH 355
Power and Glory: Brahmin Identity and the Shaw Memorial
Time and time again it can be seen how artists become inspired by one another's work
and take characteristics from each other in the making of their own piece. More often than not
this borrowing of concepts is used to deepen the artists own work and make suggestions into
further meanings. In observing the Shaw Memorial by Augustus Saint- Gaudens the importance
of Shaw as a leader is clearly depicted and with this it is human instinct to attempt to compare
him to other important leaders throughout history. Throughout Katie Mullis Kressers' article it is
made clear the strong similarities between Robert Gould Shaw and Jesus Christ.
Early on within Kresser's arcticle she mentions Robert Shaw coming from a wealthy and
respected Boston family with relatives holding important position such as president of Harvard.
Upon reading further into the essay Shaw can be compared to Jesus Christ, the son of God, both
of them descending from relatives of high positions. After Shaw's death in the battle to take Fort
Wagner in South Carolina the ceremony held for him back in Massachusetts made several
references to him being a Christ like figure. The notion of Shaw resembling Christ due to his
family was made clear by Booker T. Washington and William James when they thanked Shaw's
family for giving their only child to the war in an attempt to make everyone's lives more
abundant. Just as Christ, an only child, gave his life for the better good of the world Shaw did the
same. Long before his death as Shaw and his troops marched through the street on their way to
war Shaw's sister Ellen is said to recall him in this way, "When Rob looked up... his face was as
the face of an angel and I felt he would never come back." It is this farewell parade that Shaw is
also described as one of the few white people among a sea of black soldiers relating to a Christ
epithet as Christ being the fairest among ten thousand.
Not only were Robert Shaw's actions of selflessness and courage like that of Christ his
appearance as well has striking similarities. Shaw was described and depicted as a fair skinned
man with a slender body and soft facial features, ones not usually perceived to be that of a
soldier but that of Jesus Christ. Like many paintings of Christ where he is the most vibrant or
central figure it is easy to imagine Shaw as this type of figure while storming Fort Wagner or in
any other battle. Surrounded by his black troops Robert Shaw must have stood out with a Christ
like glow amongst the battlefield leading his troops as Christ led his followers. Even the way in
which Robert Shaw died can be related to the death of Christ. Shaw shot dead on the battlefield
died just any other soldier would have throughout the war. Jesus Christ was put to death on the
cross just as any betrayer of the time. Shaw's death just as Christ's was the defining moment of
his life.
The most striking similarities of Robert Shaw to Christ can be seen in the comparison of
the Hippolyte Flandrin painting entitled Entry into Jerusalem and Augustus Saint- Gaudens Shaw
Memorial. Compositionally both works are almost identical. The lower half of Flandrin's
painting is made up of Christ's followers following him in a stiff procession. The figures holding
their palm leaves vertically into the air echo the vertical rifles cutting upward of Shaw's African
American troops. Christ and Shaw are the central figures in both works, Jesus on a donkey and
Shaw on horseback. Shaw's greater height amongst his troops suggests his higher rank. The
relationship between Shaw, the angel above his head and his troops below connects Shaw
between heaven and earth. This suggests Shaw's greater cause and calling to fight in battle and
for the rights of his fellow troops. The similarities between the two was even apparent to SaintGaudens as he changed a palm into an olive branch in the final piece.
Viewing the Shaw memorial makes one feel proud to be from Massachusetts and the
sacrifices that were made by Robert Shaw and his men.