1876What was the first monument in honour of a woman accomplished by a woman?
The first monument in honor of a woman accomplished by a woman is the striking equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, created by American sculptor Anna Vaughn Hyatt and unveiled in New York City’s Riverside Park in 1915. This groundbreaking achievement marked a turning point in memorial art by celebrating a specific, identifiable woman, rather than a symbolic or collective female figure. Hyatt’s dedication to historical authenticity is evident in unique features like stones from Joan’s prison in Rouen and a fragment from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims embedded in the statue’s base. As we recognize the 150th anniversary of Hyatt’s birth in 2026, her enduring legacy continues through replicas in cities from San Francisco to Québec and through her pivotal role in American sculpture.
