English: The 1935 sculpture "Guardianship" by James Earle Fraser on the east side of the south entrance of he National Archives in Washington, D.C. No copyright notice, so in the public domain.
Carved below the figure are the words "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
SIRIS metadata follows:
Guardianship, (sculpture)
Vigilance, (sculpture)
Fraser, James Earle 1876-1953
Waugh, Sidney 1904-1963
Pope, John Russell 1874-1937
CARVER:
Ratti, Edward H. 1904-1969
Sculpture: Indiana limestone; Base: granite
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
National Archives and Records Administration 7th & Pennsylvania Avenue Steps at south entrance Washington District of Columbia
1935
Allegory--Civic--War
Figure male--Full length
IAS 78250010
Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.
Gurney, George, "Sculpture and the Federal Triangle," Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985, pg. 157-196.
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 151.
Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 4.6.
A seated allegorical male figure representing Guardianship holds the helmet of protection in his right hand and a sheathed sword and fasces, the symbol of governmental power, in his left hand. Carved in relief around the base are images of weapons and helmets.
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums