John Muir in Sculpture
John Muir is such an inspirational figure that he is today not seen as merely a historical personage, but people of all ages today refer to him as their inspiration to “climb the mountains and get their glad tidings,” and to revere and protect our beautiful Earth. It is most appropriate to bring him to life through sculpture and other art forms.
Bronze Statue of John Muir at John Muir National Historic Site
This bronze statue of John Muir (left) is featured in the Visitor Center at the John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez, California, a national park site safeguarding the place where Muir wrote most of his inspiring conservation books and articles. Photo © 2016 by Harold Wood.
The original life-sized John Muir sculpture pictured here (right) is located in the Yosemite National Park Visitor Center, unveiled April 13, 2007. With a photographic panorama in the background, and room for visitors to have their picture taken next to Muir, the sculpture is one of the most photographed exhibits in the new Visitor Center. Commissioned by the National Park Service, the sculptor was Bridget Keimel. The head and hands were sculpted in clay, while the hat, clothing, and boots were put on a frame prior to the lost wax casting to make the bronze. (Source: Victoria Mates, Branch Chief of Interpretation, Yosemite National Park, who served on the original project management team. 7-20-10)
There are several other sculptures located in parks, museums, roadsides, and trails throughout the United States and in Scotland.
See other John Muir sculptures here.
For an innovative sculpture depicting Muir in an imaginary dialog with modern leading environmentalists Aldo Leopold and Earth Day Founder Gaylord Nelson, see Sculptor James Muir Features the Begats (PDF).
John Muir portraits and inscriptions at the History of Humanity in Granite, Center of the World (Felicity, California).
Just west of Yuma, Arizona, there is an amazing outdoor museum. This roadside stop includes an outdoor series of thick granite walls — long, two-sided wedges – – upon which are inscribed text and photos telling the History of Humanity in Granite. This unique place also has a Maze of Honor, a church, and a pyramid designated as the “Official Center of the World” by the County of Imperial, California. These panels are inscribed with a body of knowledge ranging from human history in the arts and sciences to natural history, Planet Earth, Animals of the World and geography. One of the monuments, incorporating dozens of panels, includes the History of California, dedicated in 2016.
The California History monument includes a panel featuring various “Notables” whether born in or associated with California, among whom John Muir is included.
John Muir Sculptures by Will Pettee
California sculptor Will Pettee has created a series of beautiful Muir sculptures and busts like those shown on the top panel of this web page. One version is a bust of Muir used by the John Muir Health Foundation’s for their annual Award of Distinction. Will Pettee is now making such busts available for purchase and display in your home.
For Public Places
Will Pettee and hs wife Karen are also spearheading a drive to raise $3000 for his existing 18 inch “Mountain Muir” sculpture (shown below left), now installed at the University of the Pacific (home of the John Muir papers since 1970), and an additional $3000 in order to install another “Mountain Muir” sculpture at The John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez. And Will and Karen’s vision doesn’t stop there: they’d like to see life-size statues of John Muir placed on the grounds of The University of the Pacific, at Muir Woods, Muir College, Yosemite and Dunbar, Scotland (his birthplace). Because these places are visited by people from all over the world, Muir sculptures there could help inspire visitors to take the message of conservation and preservation back to their own home, inspiring nature protection around the world.
Now, their current goal is to have the life-sized statue installed outside the library at the University of the Pacific, the depository of the John Muir Papers, and the new “Muir Experience” exhibit space. Students and visitors could become more connected to Muir by being able to see his physical presence there. He becomes more “real” in our world. The proposed statue would also celebrate the recent permanent addition of the John Muir Papers to the University of the Pacific and keep the legacy alive of such an important historical figure and preserve his legacy to protect the environment for generations to come.
Will Pettee explains his inspiration behind his “Mountain Man” sculpture like this:
“Of the numerous art forms, sculpture has been used not only to memorialize those important to us, but also to capture a moment in time forever. It was after my first climb to the top of Half Dome with my wife, that I was inspired to create a sculpture of John Muir. As I stood atop that high granite formation above the valley floor, I could only imagine how he would have felt being one of the first visitors to view the breathtaking magic that is Yosemite Valley. We want to give lasting thanks to one man who made a difference with his words and in his deeds. Through this bronze sculpture we can keep his memory alive for centuries to come.”
For More information:
- WJP Studios John Muir Collection – Four John Muir sculptures and busts available for purchase from sculptor Will Pettee
- Photos of John Muir Sculptures – Sierra Club John Muir Exhibit