Trump Regilds DC Statues Mar-a-Lago Style
The sprucing up of the "Arts of War" and "Arts of Peace" equestrian statues cost the public $5 million in a no-bid contract.
President Donald Trump recently unveiled the newly regilded bronze equestrian sculptures, known as the Arts of War, on the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC. The statues, which are a part of the Arts of War and Arts of Peace series, have been a subject of concern due to their aging appearance. The Arts of War sculptures, titled "Valor" and "Sacrifice," and their counterpart, the Arts of Peace sculptures, titled "Music and Harvest" and "Aspiration and Literature," have not undergone restoration since the 1970s.
Over time, they had lost their golden luster and revealed patches of their bronze base. In response, the National Park Service allocated $5.1 million for the project to Maryland-based Gilders' Studio. However, recent documents revealed that the actual cost could be significantly lower, around $2.4 million, approximately half of the initially estimated amount.
The Arts of War statues, along with the Arts of Peace sculptures, are set to receive the same treatment as other monuments and landmarks across the city, all adorned with a Trump-like golden finish.
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