On May 29, 1890 the 61 foot bronze statue (with a cost of $77,000) of Robert E. Lee inaugurated Monument Avenue. The monument was constructed in Europe and arrived by train in Richmond from New York on May 4th. Between 10,000 and 20,000 Richmonders took turns hauling the monument to its location. Once in place, the ropes used to pull the monument were cut up, tied with ribbons and handed out as souvenirs.

So how does a monument get it’s place on Monument Avenue? To erect a statue is a complex, often long process full of “discussion, decision-making, and construction.” Some have taken a few years to come to fruition while others take decades. The birth of the Lee monument began with the formation of a committee in support of constructing a statue to immortalize the officer. The formation of the committee was followed by fundraising events, as well as finding and obtaining the perfect site for the monument. Auditions and appointments were made regarding the design and selection of a sculptor that resulted in the production and dedication of an actual monument, in this case that of the Robert E Lee Monument—the first monument to grace the landscape of Monument Avenue.

Internationally known sculptor and Frenchman, Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié, was the sculptor chosen to bring to life the statue of Robert E. Lee, the idolized soldier of the American South. From studying photographs taken prior to Lee’s death, Mercié was able to achieve a very realistic portrayal of the soldier. Mercié was provided with Lee’s spurs, a hat, boots and even a death mask to study and aid him in the creation of the monument. A rather simple monument, Lee sits on his horse, Traveller facing south on Monument Avenue. Due to the horse being too small for Lee’s proportions, a slightly larger horse was used as a reference. Architect Paul Pujol, also a Frenchman, designed the pedestal, however, this was sculpted in the United States. The ornate shields on the base of the statue that appear on the front and back of the base seem incomplete. Perhaps this can be attributed to the original design which called for figural groups but was too expensive to execute.

It is unclear why Mercié was awarded the job, but his “international reputation and friendship with American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens” probably played a role. However, his position as a respected French sculptor would move Lee from a local hero to a great international military leader like Julius Caesar or Napoleon Bonaparte. The city of Richmond would join the cultural ranks of cities like New York and Boston.