Commodore John Barry c. 1909

This bronze sculpture of Commodore John Barry was created by Andrew O’Connor Jr., an American sculptor who spent much of his career in Europe, during a time of shifting national identities. O’Connor captures Barry, an Irish-American officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War, in a moment of contemplation, hand raised to his throat. The sculpture creates a powerful emotional narrative, yet also subtly reinforces the prevailing heroic and masculine ideals. While celebrated as the ‘Father of the American Navy,’ Barry’s identity as an immigrant is an important, yet often overlooked, part of his story. O’Connor’s work reflects the complex intersection of national identity, immigration, and heroism. How do we reconcile these different aspects of identity when we consider historical figures like Barry?