Spirits of Commerce and Industry
Owner: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Artist: Tuck Langland
Dates: 2008
Medium: Bronze
Description:
At the original location of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City at 925 Grand, there were two female figures carved in relief in the limestone facade of the building. These figures represented the spirits of commerce and industry. These reliefs were created by Henry Hering in 1921.
When the Federal Reserve moved to its new location near the Liberty Memorial, artist Tuck Langland was commissioned to create three-dimensional representations of the reliefs as a tribute to the figures on the facade of the old building. The three fountain geysers represent the three mission areas - monetary policy, providing supervisory and regulatory oversight, and offering safe, reliable, and efficient financial services - while also serving as a tribute to Kansas City, the "City of Fountains."
Each bronze figure is 12 feet tall and has their arms extended upward while holding different objects. The Spirit of Commerce holds the torch of progress and the caduceus of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce. Commerce also wears a coat of mail, signifying security. The Spirit of Industry holds a sheaf of wheat, signifying agriculture, and a distaff, representing manufacturing. Smaller versions of the two sculptures can be found on the second floor of the Downtown Branch of the Kansas City Public Library.
