User:Emilyjanowiak/Bust of Calvin Fletcher Draft

Calvin Fletcher Bust is a public artwork by an unknown artist, located inside the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The marble bust depicts Calvin Fletcher (1798-1866), a man who settled in Indiana early in the state's history and went on to become an attorney and senator.

Description
Calvin Fletcher Bust is a marble statue that stands 47.5 inches high and consists of a 17.5 inch high pedestal and a 30 inch bust of Calvin Fletcher. The bust portrays Calvin Fletcher's unsmiling face and formal attire. His gaze is forward. The bottom part of the bust turns into a narrow column that sits atop the larger portion of the pedestal base. The base is plain, save for spiral detailing on the proper left and proper right sides. Each spiral ends with a flower containing four evenly shaped petals. Below the spiraling the base widens slightly. Along the bottom of the proper front base, the words "CALVIN FLETCHER" have been carved and painted a gold color. These letters are each 2.5 inches tall. The sculpture sits inside a stone niche and a small gold plaque has been placed just beneath it. Although not attached to the sculpture, it describes the subject matter, reading: CALVIN FLETCHER/BORN FEB. 14, 1788- DIED MAY 26, 1866/EARLY SETTLER AND LANDOWNER./CONNECTED WITH SECOND STATE BANK./AN ATTORNEY./SERVED IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1826-1833.

Historical information
Calvin Fletcher was a prominent figure in Indianapolis society in the mid-1800s and a leader of the Masonic Center Lodge Fletcher rose to prominence as an attorney because of his anti-slavery stance and was known as a defender of the African American community in Indianapolis.

Location history
Calvin Fletcher Bust is currently located on the fourth floor of the Indiana Statehouse, on the west side of the building in the rotunda alcove. Prior to this, the bust was on display in a niche outside the south door to the senate chamber. In 2004, a proposal was submitted for a local artist to create a bust of the late Frank O'Bannon, and upon its completion, the Frank O'Bannon Bust was placed where the Calvin Fletcher Bust once stood. Since that time, it has remained on the fourth floor.