Rosa Louise McCauley Parks Sculpture

Rotunda, US Capitol,  2013, Artist  Eugene Daub. Daub and Firmin Studios, LLC

https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/rosa-parks-statue

Visual Description

Nine feet high. A relief sculpture depicts Rosa Parks sitting, the position she assumed while sitting at the front of a bus in Montgomery AL on December 1, 1955, in an act of civil disobedience challenging racial segregation in public transit. Her pose follows that in a famous photograph taken of her seated on the bus, The Capitol website entry notes, “Based on photographic research into what she was wearing the day on the bus, she is shown wearing a round brimless hat, glasses, a cloth coat over her dress, laced shoes and she holds the handle of her purse.”  Inscribed are the words, “"Rosa Parks/1913–2005."

Historical Background

First full-length statue of an Black person installed in the U.S. Capitol. 

Interpretive notes

The work reproduces the iconic image of Rosa Parks, while seated in a front seat of the bus in Montgomery, refusing an order to relocate to the rear of the bus. Although Park was a dedicated civil rights organizer she is not shown in a speaking stance, but rather in a seated position, engaging in non violent passive resistance. 

Prompts for Close Looking

• What qualities of Ms. Parks are conveyed through this sculpture? 

• Most statues in the Hall are depicted standing. Why is Ms. Parks depicted as sitting?