The Ether Monument

Most visitors to the Boston Public Garden know the grand equestrian statue of George Washington. But just a few trees over is another dramatic sculpture, though fewer people are aware of it -- possibly because it sits high above their heads on a 30-ish foot base.

WHAT IS IT?

Erected in 1868, was a gift of Boston Resident Thomas Lee. It commemorates the use of ether as an anesthetic.

Ether was first demonstrated

publicly in 1846 at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The surgical amphitheater later became known as the

Ether Dome and was designated a National

Historic Site in 1965

INSCRIPTION “In gratitude for the relief of human suffering by the inhaling of ether, a citizen of Boston has erected this monument, A. MDCCCLXVII.’’

WHO IS THIS?

ARTIST

John Quincy Adams Ward

THE BASE Bas-reliefs on each of the four sides show:

• A patient undergoing an operation

• The angel of mercy

• A wounded soldier in a field hospital

• An allegory of the triumph of science

MEDIUM

Marble, white granite from Concord and red granite from Gloucester

SOURCES: Friendsofthepublicgarden.org, Celebrateboston.com, Publicartboston.com