These are “Valor” (foreground) and “Sacrifice,” the two “Arts of War” statues, which frame the entrance to the Memorial Bridge, just beyond the Lincoln Memorial. They were commissioned in 1929, cast in bronze in Italy in 1950, erected in 1951 and gilded in 23.75-carat gold leaf in 2026 at a cost of $5.1 million. Their history can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Arts_of_War_and_The_Arts_of_Peace
I had posted a few drive-by shots of one of these statues as well as one of the “Arts of Peace” statues situated nearby, at the entrance to the Rock Creek Parkway, but Sunday we found a place to park and went to see the four sculptures close up. I must say they were pretty impressive!
‘Arts of Peace’ statues, posted earlier:
