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Patriotism and Fraternity by Adolph Weinman

Set into niches on the north and south administrative wings of the building are two bronze statues by Adolph Weinman. These statues are an important aspect of the exterior, along with Weinman's frieze around the central rotunda.

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Gabriel Caniglia

Patriotism is represented by four figures, with Columbia as the central and dominating one. She holds the torch of liberty in one hand, with the other extended in blessing. At her right are a mother and son, with the mother imparting patriotism upon her son. At Columbia's left stands a man draped in the Stars and Stripes, offering his shield and sword for his country's defense. Above all the figures is an American eagle, wings outstretched, standing on an oak branch in a symbol of power. Patriotism is a fitting name for this sculpture that embodies many of America's most famous symbology. This sculpture may be one of the components of the Elks Memorial that makes its classical, Beaux-Arts style decidedly American in nature.

Fraternity also consists of four figures, with the dominating figure being Mother Nature. To Nature's right is a standing man, offering support to an aged man that stands to Nature's left. A young boy looks up at Mother Nature, who rests a hand on the boy's shoulder. Above the figures are arborvitae branches, and above that are clouds and stars that evoke the Arabic proverb on fraternity: "The love of brother for brother is eternal like the stars." This sculpture embodies one of the main virtues of the Elks: brotherly love.

Elk by Laura Gardin Fraser 

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Gabriel Caniglia

Flanking the steps that lead to the main entrance of the Elks National Memorial, two lifelike bronze statues of elk lay atop pedestals. These identical statues are the work of Laura Gardin Fraser, Chicago native and wife of James Earle Fraser. She was considered to be the best animal sculptor of her time, and her depictions of elk create a fitting entrance to the memorial.

Justice, Charity, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity by James Earle Fraser

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Gabriel Caniglia

Four sculptures by James Earle Fraser depict again the virtues of the Elks, this time as gilded bronze sculptures placed around the rotunda's interior. Just as the building shows a Roman/American fusion, so too do Fraser’s sculptures. He uses classical elements such as togas, Charity’s laurel wreath, and Fidelity’s sword and shield, but the sculptures share "strong stylistic resemblance" (Freundlich 84) to Fraser’s other works of American figures and explorers.

Air and Earth by Laura Gardin Fraser

In wings that lead to the main rotunda, there are two smaller sculptures by Laura Gardin Fraser. "Air" depicts Pegasus, while "Earth" depicts a centaur and a Roman satyr. 

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Gabriel Caniglia

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