The Washington Evening Star

February 10, 1933, Page C-5

Rouging of ‘Serenity’
Leaves Grant Serene

Statue in Meridian Hill Park in Limelight as Citizens Ask its Removal

The statue of Serenity In Meridian Hill Park again is in the limelight, with a citizens' Association asking Its removal and the Federation of Citizens' Associations devoting some discussion to it, but Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant 3d, director of Public Buildings and Public Parks, is serene about it all.

Col. Grant said yesterday he could see little harm in some small boys rouging the cheeks of Serenity, once in a while, for the park officials clean it off, periodically. In answer to the criticism that Serenity is atrocious as a work of art, Col. Grant replies placidly that the statue was accepted for Meridian Hill Park by Congress.

The citizens' group has sent its resolution of protest to the colonel, but he does not see how he can do anything about it, inasmuch as Congress approved the statue.

Serenity was designed by Jose Clara, a leading Spanish sculptor. It was the gift of Charles Deering of Chicago, who thus honored the memory of his friend, Lieut. Comdr. William Henry Schuetze, U. S. Navy.

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Rouging of ‘Serenity’ Leaves Grant Serene, The Washington Evening Star, February 10, 1933, Page C-5. (PDF)