The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
Photo: Eufaula, Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
EUFAULA, ALABAMA
N 31° 53.583 / W 85° 8.5225
Copyright year unknown, stone or "marble", unsigned.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: None.
Copyright year unknown, stone or "marble", unsigned.
Smithsonian Art Inventory Control Number: None.
At the intersection of Broad Street and Orange Avenue.
The plaque reads:
ERECTED BY
THE SERVICE STAR LEGION
PORTER DOUGHTIE CHAPTER
TO THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRAFICE
1917 - WORLD WAR - 1918
(followed by five names)
LEST WE FORGET
ERECTED BY
THE SERVICE STAR LEGION
PORTER DOUGHTIE CHAPTER
TO THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRAFICE
1917 - WORLD WAR - 1918
(followed by five names)
LEST WE FORGET
This is one of five known stone designs similar to Viquesney's Spirit of the American Doughboy but which lack the full battle gear. While there is some evidence to suggest that Viquesney might have been involved with the production of these stone statues, there is also evidence to suggest that McNeel Marble Company of Marietta, Georgia, the suspected manufacturer, was simply making knock-offs of Viquesney's design and selling them to customers through a bait-and-switch scam (see Clarksville, Tennessee).
The only troubling aspect of these speculations is that Eufaula's Doughboy was installed in 1920, according to several websites; if true, then it was there before Viquesney had completed work on his first Spirit of the American Doughboy statue in 1921 (though he did copyright the design in 1920). This might suggest it was Viquesney, then, who "borrowed" a design that McNeel had first, rather than the other way 'round.
Unfortunately, none of the five statues has a copyright, makers's mark, or signature that could help positively identify (or disqualify) Viquesney as the sculptor.
The only troubling aspect of these speculations is that Eufaula's Doughboy was installed in 1920, according to several websites; if true, then it was there before Viquesney had completed work on his first Spirit of the American Doughboy statue in 1921 (though he did copyright the design in 1920). This might suggest it was Viquesney, then, who "borrowed" a design that McNeel had first, rather than the other way 'round.
Unfortunately, none of the five statues has a copyright, makers's mark, or signature that could help positively identify (or disqualify) Viquesney as the sculptor.
